Jared McCain scored 30 points, and Tyrese Maxey added 26 as the Philadelphia 76ers broke their five-game losing streak with a 113-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, claiming their first NBA Cup victory.
McCain, the rookie, had his seventh straight game with over 20 points and his second game with 30 or more. He made 11 of 20 shots, including 6 of 11 from 3-point range.
One of his three-pointers sparked an 18-4 run in the third quarter that turned Brooklyn’s 9-point lead into a 77-72 advantage for Philadelphia.
Maxey contributed seven points during the run and kept up his strong play in the fourth quarter, helping the Sixers pull away. After McCain scored five quick points, two of which came off Maxey’s assists, Maxey hit two drives to the basket and a step-back 3-pointer to push the Sixers to a 101-92 lead with 3:43 left. McCain and Maxey scored all of Philadelphia’s points in the final 12-2 run.
All five Philadelphia starters reached double figures, including Guerschon Yabusele, who started at center for Joel Embiid and finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Embiid was out with a knee injury, and Paul George is sidelined with a bone bruise in his left knee. Caleb Martin added 10 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds.
Cameron Johnson led Brooklyn with 37 points, shooting 9-of-13 from beyond the arc. However, the rest of the Nets struggled, hitting only 4 of 24 three-pointers.
Cam Thomas scored 18 points and had seven assists, though he also turned the ball over seven times, part of Brooklyn’s 19 turnovers. The 76ers scored 28 points off those turnovers.
Nic Claxton was the other Net in double figures with 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting and eight rebounds.
Philadelphia led 53-50 at halftime and took a 79-77 lead into the fourth quarter.
With this win, both teams are now 1-2 in NBA Cup East Group A play.
