Maxey-led Sixers turn Philly boos into cheers in thrilling 29-point comeback
Tyrese Maxey scored a game-high 32 points as the Philadelphia 76ers erased a 29-point deficit to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106.
The Philadelphia 76ers turned jeers into jubilation on Thursday night, erasing a 29-point deficit to stun the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106 at Xfinity Arena.
The rally was the largest comeback in Sixers history in the play-by-play era, the biggest blown lead in Cavaliers history and the largest comeback of LeBron James' 24-year career.
Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 32 points and added six assists, conducting a raucous Philadelphia crowd that had booed the team at halftime. The Sixers cut the deficit to 10 in the third quarter, when Maxey caught a pass from James in transition and, without taking a dribble, buried a 3-pointer that forced a Cavs timeout.
"It was just a great moment," Maxey said. "The crowd was into the game. We were just feeding off the crowd."
Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid celebrated at opposite ends of the court after the dagger three, and Embiid later called the atmosphere one of the best of his long tenure in Philadelphia.
The Sixers were a different team after the break, committing only two turnovers in the second half while holding Cleveland to 37 points. Donovan Mitchell, who had 30 points through three quarters, was limited to just two points in the fourth.
The win came two nights after Philadelphia's season-opening victory over the Knicks. But the players warned against relying on such miracles.
"You don't want to rely on that," James said, laughing. "I think it's great to know deep down we're able to do it."
Source: ESPN — Top Headlines — TrendWire reports stories in its own words; facts should be confirmed against the original source.