76ers eke out win over Hornets
Mar 1, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. credits: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points, Tobias Harris had 31 points and 12 rebounds and the host Philadelphia 76ers held off the Charlotte Hornets 121-114 on Friday.
Kyle Lowry added 15 points and 10 assists and hit two free throws with 30.8 seconds remaining for a 119-114 lead. Buddy Hield contributed 13 points and Paul Reed 11 for the Sixers.
Philadelphia was without Joel Embiid, De'Anthony Melton, Robert Covington, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kenyon Martin Jr.
The Hornets played without LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams and Brandon Miller, who was scratched shortly before tip-off. Seth Curry then suffered an apparent right ankle injury with 4:57 left in the fourth quarter and didn't return.
Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 27 points and 11 rebounds, Nick Richards added 19 points and Davis Bertans 14. Grant Williams and Vasilije Micic had 13 each and Cody Martin 12.
The Hornets closed within 114-112 when Williams hit a 3-pointer with two minutes left.
The Sixers pulled out to a 95-86 lead with 10:09 left in the fourth quarter following a 3-pointer by Nicolas Batum.
Bertans came back with a 3-pointer from the wing to cut the deficit to six.
After the Sixers went ahead 107-95, Bridges hit a jump hook in the lane to get back within 10 with 6:43 remaining.
Martin hit two free throws to cap a 13-0 run for the Hornets, who built a 50-38 lead with 6:44 remaining in the second quarter.
The Hornets went on to take a 63-58 advantage at halftime, thanks in large part to 13 points and eight rebounds from Bridges.
Harris paced the Sixers with 15 points.
Philadelphia, which couldn't hold a five-point lead at the end of the first quarter, launched 25 shots from 3-point range in the half, making 11.
Maxey drove to the basket to close the Sixers within 78-76 with 5:29 left in the third quarter.
After an empty possession by the Hornets, Maxey dropped in a 3-pointer from the corner to put the Sixers ahead by one.
Bridges grabbed his own rebound and threw down a two-handed dunk to tie the game at 84 with 2:17 left.
The Sixers scored the final four points to take an 88-84 advantage at the end of the third.
—Field Level Media