Paul George scored 30 points and Tyrese Maxey added 29 as the Philadelphia 76ers snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 132-129 win over the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
In a game that featured 18 ties and 30 lead changes, Philadelphia placed all five starters in double figures, as well as rookie Justin Edwards (15 points) off the bench. Kelly Oubre Jr. (22 points), Eric Gordon (15) and Guerschon Yabusele (12 points, 13 rebounds) also made key contributions for the Sixers.
Ty Jerome scored a career-high 33 points on 8-of-8 3-point shooting for Cleveland, which has lost back-to-back games for just the second time this season. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 37 points, while Darius Garland pitched in with 26 points and seven assists.
Jerome made back-to-back 3-pointers to give Cleveland a 116-110 lead with just over six minutes left before Philadelphia responded with 13 straight points. The 76ers subsequently led by as much as eight, but the Cavaliers had a chance to tie at the buzzer, when Mitchell’s wild heave near midcourt fell short.
Grizzlies 139, Pelicans 126
Jaren Jackson Jr. produced 29 points and seven assists and Luke Kennard added a season-high 27 as the host Memphis beat New Orleans for its fifth straight. The Pelicans had their season-best four-game win streak snapped.
Desmond Bane added 20 points — his seventh straight game with at least 20 — and 14 assists for the Grizzlies, who improved to 18-5 at home.
Dejounte Murray led New Orleans with 26 points to go with seven assists and six rebounds, while CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III scored 22 points each.
Trail Blazers 102, Hornets 97
Anfernee Simons poured in 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter and visiting Portland overcame early rough stretches to beat short-handed Charlotte.
Jerami Grant cranked out 22 points, Deni Avdija had 18 points, reserve Shaedon Sharpe added 13 points and Toumani Camara posted 11 points as the Trail Blazers shook off some ragged shooting and a 13-point second-quarter deficit. Portland finished at 40.5 percent from the field, including 11-for-38 (28.9 percent) on 3-point attempts en route to its fourth consecutive win.
Nick Smith Jr.’s 17 points and Josh Okogie’s 16 points and 10 rebounds led the Hornets. Mark Williams provided 15 points and nine rebounds, Josh Green had 14 points, and Vasilije Micic notched 12 points.
–Field Level Media
