Cavs keep in-season tournament hopes alive with 122-119 OT win over Philadelphia 76ers

PHILADELPHIA - The Cavs’ in-season tournament hopes are still alive. Barely.

On a night they could have been eliminated from group play and the knockout round, short-handed Cleveland avoided a disastrous collapse, regained its composure just in time and topped the Philadelphia 76ers, 122-119, in overtime. It’s the Cavs’ fourth consecutive victory. They improve to 2-1 in tournament group play with one pivotal game remaining.

The Cavs were in control most of the night - until they faltered in the fourth quarter and temporarily gave up an 18-point lead. After a wild regulation finish - a stretch that included the Sixers taking their first lead since midway point of the first quarter and the two teams trading proverbial haymakers over the final few minutes - the game was deadlocked at 110 when the fourth quarter buzzer sounded.

Cleveland made just enough clutch plays in the extra period, going ahead for good on Jarrett Allen’s flip shot with 17.9 seconds remaining in OT.

Philadelphia had a few more chances after that. Tyrese Maxey’s go-ahead layup hung on the rim for a brief moment until spinning off. The loose-ball battle went to the Cavs who were clinging to a one-point lead with 11 seconds remaining. Darius Garland hit both freebies to put Cleveland up by three. and then Maxey airballed a 3-pointer. Even though Philly retained possession, it threw the inbounds pass away.

After 53 minutes, the Cavs could finally exhale.

Still dealing with a rash of injuries, Cleveland was without four of its regulars - Donovan Mitchell (hamstring strain), Caris LeVert (knee soreness), Isaac Okoro (knee soreness) and Ty Jerome (sprained ankle). Mitchell, Okoro and Jerome didn’t even make the trip. While it wasn’t easy, and there were nervy moments, especially in the fourth quarter, the Cavs have their second straight gutsy win over one of the league’s elite.

Point guard Darius Garland led the way, finishing with 32 points and eight assists. Allen recorded a double-double with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Max Strus chipped in with 20 points, drilling five triples on the night. Youngster Evan Mobley also recorded a double-double, tallying 18 points and 12 boards.

Georges Niang, back in Philly where he spent the previous two seasons before signing a multi-year contract with the Cavs in free agency this summer, reached double figure in scoring for the second straight game. He had 12. Rookie Craig Porter Jr. matched that total.

The Sixers got 32 points from reigning MVP Joel Embiid before he fouled out in overtime. Maxey added 30 while Tobias Harris had 23.

After being outscored by nine points in the fourth quarter, the Cavs won the OT period, 12-9.

About 15 minutes prior to the final buzzer, the Indiana Pacers stormed from behind in Atlanta to win East Group A, leaving Cleveland’s only chance of advancing to the knockout round coming via one of the two wild card spots.

So, you’re saying there’s a chance.

Career milestone

Backup center Tristan Thompson recorded his 451st career block in the first half, passing Jim Chones for sole possession of fifth place on the franchise’s all-time blocks list.

Up next

The Cavs will return home for the second game of a back-to-back against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.