Tyrese Maxey scores 33, lifts 76ers over Raptors to split season series
Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points Monday night and the visiting Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Toronto Raptors 115-102 to gain a split of the two-game set.
The 76ers were a different team, playing stronger defense with the return of Joel Embiid and Paul George, who did not suit up when Toronto won 116-115 in overtime on Sunday.
Embiid had 27 points and eight rebounds while George scored 15 points. VJ Edgecombe added 15 points and eight assists to help Philadelphia split the four-game season series.
Immanuel Quickley scored 18 points for the Raptors and Brandon Ingram added 17. Scottie Barnes had 15 points, A.J. Lawson scored 14 and Collin Murray-Boyles tallied 12 alongside seven rebounds and six assists.
The 76ers led by 22 points entering the fourth quarter. Toronto scored the first five points of the fourth, reducing the lead to 17. Barnes made two free throws to trim the lead to 15 with 4:53 left before Embiid responded by sinking a driving hook shot.
Toronto fans gave a big ovation to former Raptors' stalwart Kyle Lowry, who has seldom played this season, and entered the game with 1:57 to play. It could be his last appearance in Toronto as a player.
Maxey scored 18 points to help the 76ers take a 45-28 lead after one quarter.
Jabari Walker nailed a 3-pointer and came back with a layup after a Toronto miss to give the 76ers a 22-point lead with 9:47 to play in the second quarter.
Edgecombe nabbed a steal and passed downcourt to Kelly Oubre Jr., who made an uncontested layup to bump the lead to 26 with 7:42 to play in the half.
Maxey's 3-pointer stretched the advantage to 29 with 4:13 remaining. The margin reached 31 before Philadelphia held an 80-51 halftime lead. It was the most points Toronto has allowed in a half this season.
The 76ers faced little resistance in the first half, shooting 73% (27-for-37) from the field and 65% from 3-point range (13-for-20).
Toronto shot 37% (17-for-46), including 15% (3-for-20) in 3-point attempts.
Edgecombe's 3-pointer gave Philadelphia a 33-point lead with 8:24 left in the third quarter. With Embiid on the bench, Toronto used a 17-3 run to cut the lead to 18 with 40 seconds left. Philadelphia led 99-77 after three quarters.