Field Level Media
Mar 12, 2019
Ben Simmons had 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists to lead the host Philadelphia 76ers past the Cleveland Cavaliers 106-99 on Tuesday.
Joel Embiid added 17 points and 19 rebounds for his 50th double-double of the season. Embiid also blocked four shots. JJ Redick scored 17 points for the Sixers, who were without Jimmy Butler as he was held out for a planned rest day.
The Sixers have won two straight.
Collin Sexton paced the Cavaliers with 26 points while Cedi Osman added 18 and Jordan Clarkson had 13.
The Cavaliers played without forward Kevin Love, who has yet to play in back-to-backs since returning from a foot injury. Love had 16 points and 18 rebounds in Monday's 126-101 win over the Toronto Raptors.
Marquese Chriss was suspended for the contest after being ejected for fighting with Toronto's Serge Ibaka a night earlier. The short-handed Cavaliers also played without forward Larry Nance Jr. because of a rib injury.
The Cavaliers scored only 12 points in the first quarter but trailed by just six, 53-47, at halftime. Philadelphia committed 14 turnovers, which kept Cleveland close.
Simmons had a solid first half with 10 points, five rebounds and five assists while Sexton paced the Cavaliers with 10 points.
The game remained tight throughout the third as Sexton scored nine straight points, and the Cavaliers trailed 81-77 entering the fourth.
The Sixers held a slim 83-81 lead early in the fourth before going on a 6-0 run. When Embiid rumbled to the basket and scored, the Sixers went ahead 89-81 with 8:16 remaining.
Simmons continued to stay aggressive and threw down a dunk for a 93-83 advantage with 6:53 left.
Cleveland kept battling and took a 97-96 lead with 2:53 remaining after an 11-0 spurt.
Mike Scott then responded for the Sixers with a 3-pointer to give them a 99-97 advantage.
Embiid had a clutch offensive rebound and dunk before making four free throws in the final 30 seconds to help seal the win.
--Field Level Media