CLEVELAND — They didn't have their starting center, but the Cleveland Cavaliers got major contributions from new and young players and exacted revenge on the Philadelphia 76ers with a 119-95 win on Friday, Nov. 6.

As the Cavs (5-4) battle through minor injuries early this season, coach Kenny Atkinson has had to give younger players more minutes — and they have not disappointed. With center Jarrett Allen out after suffering an injury Nov. 4 in a loss at the Oklahoma City Thunder, Meleek Thomas, Tyrese Proctor and Peyton Watson stepped up in a big way Friday.

"You got Meleek and Tyrese running the wings, it upped our speed level but I think a big part of that was Peyton," Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said.

Watson, who was coming off a hamstring injury, had 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists against the 76ers (8-2). He fired up the defense to hold down the Sixers the entire game and help the Cavs maintain a lead.

"Big difference, I thought the job he did on [Tyrese] Maxey was excellent," Atkinson said. "It was great having him back. Better job at protecting the paint, limiting their rim attempts, better job on [Joel] Embiid."

Maxey was instrumental in the 76ers' comeback from a 29-point deficit to beat the Cavs in their season opener, going on a 15-0 fourth-quarter run in LeBron James first game as a Sixer in Philadelphia.

Watson only had eight points in that game but this time around he and the Cavs remained solid from start to finish. Mario Hezonja, Thomas, Proctor and Thomas Bryant also were big contributors to the win.

Hezonja, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds, said the Cavs were able to adjust to Philadelphia's offensive scheme and focused more on rebounds.

"The stuff we keep emphasis on, we wanted to rebound, run in transition," he said.

Hezonja had 10 points, three rebounds and two assists in the first game with the 76ers, but he knew he had to be aggressive on the boards and in the paint with Allen out.

As for Thomas, he is the rookie that keeps on giving. Since his NBA debut, Thomas has consistently scored in double digits and has provided "explosiveness" for the Cavs in critical moments.

"He's talented, he's got something different," Atkinson said. "I felt that his early 3s gave us a real boost. With certain guys the crowd are attracted to that style of play, [and] he's that kind of guy."

It was also Thomas' first time going up against Akron-native James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, since he did not play in the season opener. He called the moment special and a blessing to share the court with a player he looks up to.

"A guy I always watched growing up to be able to share a court with him today is a blessing, special," Thomas said. "One of my favorites of all time. I always learn from him."

Thomas didn't shy away from anything the Sixers threw at him, and finished with 12 points and three assists.

Proctor, meanwhile, only scored three points but contributed three assists and six rebounds. And Bryant scored 13 points and had six rebounds in just 15 minutes, shooting 80% from the field.