What if the Sixers signed a crazy second part of the season to snatch the playoffs? We can seriously doubt it but tonight's victory could boost their morale since Nick Nurse's players created the small feat of winning 132-129 against the Cavaliers! Guerschon Yabusele's partners remained on seven defeats in a row, while the Cavaliers now have the same record as the Thunder (36v-8d).
The Sixers hit hard from the start of the match, thanks to the impeccable Tyrese Maxey and the more surprising Justin Edwards. Thanks to a 15-2 run to end the first quarter, Philly took control of the match: 39-33. On the Cleveland side, Donovan Mitchell is having a big night, and the Sixers defense is clearly not at its best. The rotations are average, and the open 3-point positions are numerous for Cleveland.
The very warm hand of Ty Jerome
Under the boards, it's also very complicated without a pivot, and the Cavaliers logically go ahead at the break: 67-64. Mitchell is at 19 points, while Ty Jerome still has not missed a 3-pointer. Returning from the locker room, Paul George gets down to Maxey's level. The former Clippers winger scored 14 points in the 3rd quarter alone, and it's Kelly Oubre Jr. who plays the Mitchell is more than 20 points each, the Sixers are back in front (98-96).
The last quarter confirms that Jerome is having a dream evening. The shooter plants two 3-pointers in a row to give the Cavaliers a six-point lead (116-110). There are six minutes left to play, and this is the turning point of the match. On the Sixers side, there are also shooters, and it's Eric Gordon who comes out of his box. The former Clippers and Rockets back throws and punctuates a 13-0 to knock out the Cavaliers (123-116). There are three minutes left to play, and George, well served by Yabusele, will drive home the point to give an eight-point lead with 86 seconds remaining. The Cavaliers will not come back, and they lose for the 2nd time in a row.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
An infirmary that is always full. Just for fun, and again, here is the list of players absent from Philly: Joel Embiid, Jared McCain, Caleb Martin, KJ Martin, Andre Drummond and Kyle Lowry. As a result, Nick Nurse played with eight players with three almost unknown replacements.
The Yabusele danger. Even if he was clumsy, the Frenchman signed a nice double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Often used in the post, the “Dancing Bear” suffered numerous double-takes, proof that he has become a real danger for opponents.
Ty Jerome's almost perfect evening. With his 8 of 8 3-pointers, the Cleveland shooter signed his best career game with 33 points on 11 of 14 shots, but also 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 interceptions. He is only the 11th player in history to finish a game with such a flawless 3-pointer.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
