NBA: Tyrese Maxey’s big second half propels 76ers past Cavs
Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates with teammates after being fouled against the New York Knicks during the second half at Madison Square Garden on February 27, 2022 in New York City. Philadelphia 76ers won 125-109. Adam Hunger/Getty Images/AFP
Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points, James Harden added 25 points and 11 assists and the host Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 125-119 on Friday.
The Sixers improved to 4-0 with Harden in the lineup and won their fifth in a row overall.
Article continues after this advertisementJoel Embiid had 22 points and nine rebounds, Georges Niang scored 17 points off the bench and Tobias Harris contributed 15. Shake Milton chipped in with 11.
Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 26 points and 19 assists, Isaac Okoro scored 22 points while Cedi Osman and Jarrett Allen had 20 each. Kevin Love also had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Cleveland has dropped three straight.
Article continues after this advertisementMaxey knocked down consecutive treys and the Sixers moved out to a 110-106 lead with 6:46 left. Maxey soon threw down a dunk for a six-point advantage.
33 PTS | 5 AST | 4 REB@TyreseMaxey is an absolute stud.
🎥 presented by @PALottery pic.twitter.com/jW5OfzF4wq
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 5, 2022
Allen followed with a dunk with 5:34 left to cut the deficit to four. He made back-to-back short baskets in the lane, and Cleveland trailed 116-112 with 2:21 to go.
Embiid hit a tough shot off one leg with 1:24 remaining for a 120-114 advantage, and Maxey made two free throws down the stretch to close it out. Twenty-four of his 33 points came in the second half.
The Cavaliers bolted to a 21-point lead after Love’s deep 3-pointer with two minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Cleveland maintained a double-digit lead and moved ahead 65-52 when Osman dropped in a trey with 2:43 left in the second. Allen then hit a pair of free throws for a 15-point advantage.
The Sixers chipped away and closed within 71-63 at halftime. Maxey made 2 of 3 free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining after being fouled on a 3-pointer. Embiid led the way with 14 points in the half while Harris added 13.
Okoro hit his first five shots and paced the Cavaliers with 13. Five Cavaliers scored in double figures in the first half.
The Sixers came out aggressive in the third and closed within 82-79 with 6:56 left following a 12-foot jumper by Maxey. Cleveland led just 99-97 at the end of the third.
Niang opened the fourth with a 3-pointer from the wing for a one-point Sixers lead. Harden then drove to the basket and finished with his right hand for a 102-99 advantage.
