There are games that teams steal, and games teams lose because the opponent simply has more talent. And then their are games teams must win, because they are better, because they should.

Last night was such a game for the 76ers, who two weeks ago looked as if they might not win all season. A six-game winning streak, spurred by the return of Allen Iverson and Aaron McKie, reminded everyone that the Sixers did, in fact, win the Eastern Conference last season, and have to be considered a favorite to win it again.

So last night was important. The opponent: the young Cleveland Cavaliers, 3-9 in their previous 12 games, with a new head coach, John Lucas, who admitted before the game that this season is a "developmental year."

Despite being without starting power forward Derrick Coleman, and with a mid-game injury to his back-up, Corie Blount, the Sixers won their seventh consecutive game, 79-68.