NBA: 76ers Rally From 29 Down as Gilgeous-Alexander's 141-Game Streak Ends
The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106 at home in the NBA after trailing by 29 points. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's streak of 141 games with at least 20 points came to an end.
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), North America's top professional basketball league, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Oklahoma City Thunder each picked up their second win of the season overnight. Philadelphia came back at home from 29 points down to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, last season's Eastern Conference finalists, 114-106. Meanwhile, the Thunder won on their home court against the Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, 96-84.
76ers erase a 29-point deficit
The start was difficult for Philadelphia, who trailed 35-18 after the first quarter. The first half ended with Cleveland ahead 69-45, and at one point the visitors led by 29. Cavaliers leader Donovan Mitchell had 22 points by the break.
In the second half the 76ers went on a 33-11 run, and by the end of the third quarter the gap was eight points (82-90). With a minute left in that quarter it had shrunk to two, but Cleveland quickly scored several baskets. In the fourth quarter Philadelphia outscored its opponents by 16 points and secured the win.
According to the NBA, it was Philadelphia's biggest comeback since 1988 and the largest of LeBron James' career.
Tyrese Maxey was the 76ers' top scorer with 32 points and six assists. James had 17 points, ten rebounds and five assists. Joel Embiid finished with 24 points and seven rebounds, and Jaylen Brown with 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Thunder win a low-scoring game
In Oklahoma City, the visiting Nuggets led 48-44 at halftime. The hosts had the upper hand in the second half: the Thunder retook the lead in the third quarter and went six points up (70-64), then consolidated it in the fourth.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's streak of 141 games with at least 20 points ended in this game. He scored 17, 15 of them in the second half. Jalen Williams led Oklahoma City with 21 points, while Chet Holmgren scored 12 and grabbed 17 rebounds.
For the Nuggets, Aaron Gordon scored 20 points and had six rebounds. Jokic added 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Jamal Murray's teammate Demar...
