The opportunity Michael Bradley had waited more than 4 years to experience was temporarily placed on hold. For 4 to 6 weeks, to be specific. That's because the 6-10 forward had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Bradley, who started the first two preseason games against Houston and San Antonio, was aggressive in his approach to the situation. Rather than attempt to play through the pain, or to wait until the team returned to Philadelphia today, he decided to have the procedure done immediately.

Dr. Richard Parker, the Cavaliers' head team physician, handled the 35-minute operation after speaking with Dr. Jack McPhilemy, the Sixers' orthopedic specialist.

That left fringe free agent James Thomas as last night's starter, with the veteran Lee Nailon as the backup. Thomas had mixed results, with eight points, four rebounds and four turnovers starting opposite the Cavs' Drew Gooden, who swept seven offensive rebounds. The Sixers won with Allen Iverson scoring 30 points in 28 minutes, and Steven Hunter blocking Obinna Ekezie's last-second 5-foot jumper.

"Opportunity knocked," Thomas said. "I didn't rebound the ball the way I know I can. I let them get some easy offensive rebounds, but we have another game to play [Tuesday night in New York] and I guarantee I'll bounce back. I know I could have given it 110 more percent. I know I'm a better player than that."

Coach Maurice Cheeks termed Bradley's injury "unfortunate" and said Bradley had not been able to pinpoint a specific moment when it occurred.

"He's worked and worked and been great during training camp, but we kind of knew something had happened to him, because the level of the things he had been doing declined... his movement and everything," Cheeks said. "He never complained, but in the San Antonio game [Wednesday night] I could tell he wasn't moving really [well]. He only played 9 minutes. I took him out and didn't put him back in because he wasn't playing well."