Buddy Hield and Kelly Oubre Jr. each scored 24 points and made key fourth-quarter contributions as the visiting Philadelphia 76ers snapped the Cleveland Cavaliers’ nine-game winning streak with Monday’s 123-121 victory.
Neither team led by more than 10 points in the back-and-forth contest that had 13 ties and 12 lead changes. Philadelphia opened the largest lead of the game with just 1:25 remaining in the fourth quarter — a cushion it would need down the stretch.
After Oubre’s 3-pointer put the 76ers ahead 120-110, Cleveland went on a 9-0 run and outscored Philadelphia 11-3 overall in the final 1:13.
Donovan Mitchell, who scored a game-high 36 points, attacked the rim looking to send the game to overtime, but Paul Reed blocked his shot with 1.1 seconds to go. Mitchell collected the loose ball and found an open Darius Garland in the corner, but his potential game-winning 3-point attempt was no good.
Oubre finished with one block, two steals and shot 10 of 14 from the floor.
Hield shot 9 of 13 from the floor, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range. He helped the 76ers gain momentum with the score tied at 102-all, first dishing one of his eight assists to Mo Bamba for a dunk. Hield then scored Philadelphia’s next nine points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
Philadelphia shot 11 of 26 from deep, 48 of 88 from the floor and 16 of 19 at the free-throw line. The 76ers held Cleveland to 47.8 percent shooting from the floor, including 13 of 37 from beyond the arc.
Garland finished with 21 points and nine assists in the loss. Jarrett Allen chipped in with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Evan Mobley had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Mobley also blocked four shots.
Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points and dished out nine assists for Philadelphia. Cameron Payne scored 15 points off the bench, and Reed finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Following a competitive first half, the Sixers led 66-62 at the break behind 13 points from Hield.
–Field Level Media