Sixers Bell Ringer: Sixers snatch unexpected victory over East-leading Cavs

The Sixers knocked down a season-high 21 three-pointers in route to a win and hand the Cavs just their eighth loss of the season.

Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 8
Jared McCain – 8
Joel Embiid – 7
Paul George – 6
Guerschon Yabusele – 4
Kelly Oubre Jr – 2
Ricky Council IV- 2
KJ Martin – 2
Justin Edwards – 2
Adem Bona – 1

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The Sixers came into this one riding a seven-game losing streak. It would not get any easier in regard to the opponent as the Sixers welcomed the NBA and Eastern Conference leading Cleveland Cavaliers to South Philly for a Friday night matchup at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Sixers were once again be without the services of Joel Embiid, Jared McCain, Caleb Martin, KJ Martin, Andre Drummond and Kyle Lowry.

The Sixers threw the first big punch of this one as they would end the first quarter with a 39-33 advantage, courtesy of a 15-2 scoring run to close the period. The Sixers were led in the first by Tyrese Maxey who poured in 14 first-quarter points, including 3-of-4 from beyond the three-point arc. Sixers undrafted rookie Justin Edwards continued his impressive play of late with seven points off the bench in the opening frame.

The Cavs would come back to take the lead at the halftime break, 67-64. Cleveland was led by Donovan Mitchell who finished the half with a team-leading 16 points. The Cavs got a boost off their bench from Ty Jerome who headed to half with 11 points on 3-of-3 from the field with all of his attempts coming from three. Maxey led the scoring for the Sixers with 19. The Sixers struggled to get stops in the first half as the Cavs were consistently able to generate open threes and attempts near the rim throughout the first half. Despite the Sixers shooting 60% from three in the half they still found themselves trailing at intermission.

The Sixers got it going offensively in the third quarter behind 14 third-quarter points from Paul George. George and Maxey both had 23 points entering the fourth quarter. Kelly Oubre’s activity on the glass and attacking the rim also aided the Sixers to a lead after three quarters. Oubre would make it three Sixers in the 20-point club as he finished the quarter with 20 points of his own. The Sixers led 98-96 after three.

Jerome continued to be a thorn in the side of the Sixers as he had 21 points through three on 7-of-8 shooting including a perfect 5-of-5 from beyond the arc. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell also had 23 and 22 points, respectively, as we headed to the fourth and final period.

Despite a combined 70 points from Mitchell and Jerome — including a perfect 8-of-8 from three from Jerome — the Sixers would prevail in this one, 132-129. Carrying the Sixers was their three-point shooting as they knocked down a robust 21-of-39 attempts from deep. The Sixers snap a seven-game losing skid and hand the Cavaliers just their eighth loss of the season. The Sixers 21 makes from three was good for a season high.

Time for Bell Ringer.

Paul George: 30 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 6-of-11 from three, 11-of-21 from the field

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

After just nine points in the first half Paul George got it cooking in half No. 2. George would finish the game with 30 points — 14 of those coming in the third. George found his rhythm in the second half. Eighteen of George’s team-high 30 came courtesy of the three ball. George also got to the rim for a couple of tough finishes in the second half including an and-1 late in the fourth quarter to stretch the Sixers’ lead. George continues to play well in the month of January and for the most part has looked to be back to the All-Star form the Sixers hoped they would get from him when they signed him this past summer.

Tyrese Maxey: 29 points, 7 assists, 2 steals, 9-of-18 from the field, 4-of-8 from 3

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Tyrese Maxey got the Sixers going early in this one with his 14 points in the first period to set the tone for the evening and give the Sixers an early lead. Maxey was efficient from every area of the court going an even 50% from both the three-point line and two-point range. Maxey knocked down all seven of his free throw attempts including two big ones late to give the Sixers a three-point lead that they would not surrender

Kelly Oubre Jr: 22 points, 13 rebounds, 8-of-16 from the field

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Oubre was all over the place tonight for the Sixers. Oubre tied with Guerschon Yabusele for a game-high 13 rebounds, seven of which came on the offensive glass. Oubre’s work on the glass led to easy put-back points often times to keep the Sixers in a near deadlock with the Cavs as the two teams traded baskets for much of this game. Oubre did his best to make life harder on the Cavs’ duo of All-Star guards in Mitchell and Garland. Garland and Mitchell both shot the ball well in spite of Oubre’s efforts … as they often do. Oubre energized the crowd and his team with his all-out effort and tenacity and helped the Sixers to a desperately needed and unexpected win.