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. Gordon and George made 3-pointers in the midst of that run before Gordon punctuated the burst with a long 3-pointer with 3:19 to go.
The Sixers held the Cavaliers without a field goal for about five minutes down the stretch. Garland’s 3-pointer got the visitors within 127-122 with 1:14 remaining and then Jerome’s triple with 12.2 seconds left made it a one-point game.
Maxey knocked down two free throws to create a three-point cushion, and then Jerome threw away the ensuing inbounds pass. Cleveland had one more chance at the buzzer, but Mitchell’s wild heave near midcourt fell short.
Both teams played without key big men. Philadelphia continued to take the court without Joel Embiid (knee), while Cleveland’s Evan Mobley (calf) continued to sit out, as well. Additionally, Cavaliers forward Dean Wade exited with a knee injury and did not return.
Maxey scored 14 points and the Sixers shot 8-of-11 from 3-point range en route to leading 39-33 after one quarter. Mitchell scored 11 second-quarter points, including a layup in the waning seconds that gave the Cavaliers a 67-64 lead at intermission.
George scored 14 third-quarter points for the Sixers – including 4-of-5 shooting from long range – as Philadelphia went back in front. Jerome’s long 3-pointer at the buzzer brought Cleveland within 98-96 heading into the fourth.
–Field Level Media
