Garland steers the Shorthand Cleveland Cavaliers to 122-119 Win against Philadelphia 76ers in Overtime
Tuesday night at the NBA at-Season Tournament, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 122-119 in overtime despite being shorthanded for the third straight game. Darius Garland scored 32 points and Jarrett Allen added 26. https://x.com/cavs/status/1727127622574825772?s=20
Due to injuries, the Cavaliers (8-6, 2-1 In-Season Tournament) managed to secure a wild-card place in the Eastern Conference even though they were missing three key rotation players: Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, and Isaac Okoro. After defeating Atlanta, Indiana improved to 3-0 and had a victory over Cleveland earlier in the competition, securing the East Group A title.
Six players from Cleveland scored in double figures. The Sixers were outrebounded 61-53 and the Cavs had a 68-52 advantage in paint points as they controlled both the paint and the glass.
Following losses in both of their games on their vivid red home court, the 76ers(10-4, 2-2 In-Season Tournament) were declared out of the tournament. The 76ers started the season with six wins at home, but they have since dropped three in a row.
For the Sixers, Tyrese Maxey contributed 30 points and Joel Embiid scored 32.
Through three quarters, the Cavaliers were able to dictate the pace, taking an early 18-point lead in the third. However, Maxey and Embiid rallied Philadelphia to cut Cleveland’s advantage to nine points at the half and briefly take the lead with 2:07 remaining on a three-play play.
Down the stretch, Cleveland responded on each possession, and two free throws by Garland tied the score at 110. Embiid’s attempt to win it in regulation with a last-second shot rimmed missed.
With 18 seconds remaining in overtime, Allen made the biggest shot of the evening, an 8-foot hook shot off Craig Porter’s tenth assist of the contest to give the Cavs a 120-119 lead. On the other end, Maxey and Embiid both missed layups. With 9.7 seconds remaining, Garland converted two free throws, and Maxey’s last-gasp 3-point shot was unsuccessful.
Guard Kelly Oubre Jr. of the Sixers resumed his rehabilitation after he reportedly broke a rib on Nov. 11 while walking along a street in downtown Philadelphia.
Oubre took part in individual on-court practices on Monday. He will undergo another evaluation in a week to find out when he can play again. The 76ers coach said, “He was in good spirits and it was good.” Â Nick Nurse stated “He had a good amount of energy on the court (Monday).”
Nurse was cautious when asked if he could be ready to play a week after his next check-up. “There could be a possibility,” he stated. Everything hinges on how he responds to the contact portion of it. That will decide (what the timeline is). We’re getting close to that deadline (of one week) if he does.
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