The regular season of the NBA season continues, and the Houston Rockets (15-15) continue their losing streak. Maxey scored a game-high 42 points and Harris scored 22 points as they led a comeback in the final quarter as the Philadelphia 76ers (22-9) came back from behind to beat the Rockets 131-127 on the road. The 76ers won two in a row, and the Rockets swallowed three in a row.
For the 76ers, Maxey had 42 points, four rebounds and four assists, Harris had 22 points, four rebounds and seven assists, Melton had 15 points, Morris had 14 points and five rebounds and Oubre had 13 points. For the Rockets, VanVleet had 33 points and 10 assists, Green had 31 points and six rebounds, Shin Kyung had 28 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, Jeff Green had 10 points and four rebounds and Eason had 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The 76ers' Embiid continues to be sidelined, while the Rockets' Dillon Brooks and Smith are absent. VanVleet and Green each hit three-pointers to give them a 13-4 lead. Maxey scored four points of his own, and he led a 9-3 comeback wave as the 76ers closed the gap to one point. VanVleet led the team to a six-point return to stabilize the situation, and the two teams then traded several offenses, and Green hit one of two free throws to give the Rockets a six-point lead at 32-26 at the end of the first quarter.
Eason scored a dunk to start the second quarter, Maxey scored five straight points, and the 76ers chased the score closer. VanVleet answered with a three-pointer to steady, and the next game went back and forth, with Green hitting a three-pointer and VanVleet hitting one of two free throws to give the Rockets a 56-50 lead with 2:20 left before halftime. Oubre answered with a three-pointer and Maxey stayed aggressive and scored five more points as they led a 12-4 run to 37 at halftimeThe 76ers were up 62-60 at 3 seconds. Green hit a three-pointer from the left wing to give the Rockets a one-point lead at halftime, 63-62.
The Rockets' VanVleet scored 17 points in the first half and Green had 14;For the 76ers, Maxey scored 27 points, Harris had 11 and Oubre had 10.
The Rockets launched another wave of offense shortly after the start of the third quarter, and VanVleet hit another three-pointer to end a 7-0 spurt that gave them a 10-point lead. Harris and Maxey each scored 4 points to help the team get closer, and Shin Kyung attacked and scored 7 points alone to stabilize the situation for the Rockets. Reed scored on a single, VanVleet hit a three-pointer, Ethan scored on a running shot, and there was still 52 in the quarterThe Rockets led 97-86 with nine seconds left. Morris and Covington combined for four points to end the third quarter as the 76ers trailed 90-97.
Melton hit a three-pointer shortly after the start of the final quarter to lead his team to seven straight points and the 76ers tied it at 101. VanVleet responded with two free throws, Morris scored five straight points and Harris hit a three-pointer to put the 76ers up 109-107. Shin Kyung scored twice in singles, and Maxey fought back by 5 points to maintain the lead. VanVleet and Shin Jing took turns fouling and hit all four free throws to give the Rockets a 115-114 lead with 3:40 left in the fourth quarter.
Maxey hit two free throws, VanVleet hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer and Beverley hit both free throws to tie the game at 118. Tate hit a basket, Beverley hit a three-pointer from the corner and Eason made a layup to give the Rockets a 122-121 lead. Melton broke through, VanVleet missed a three-pointer, Morris hit a three-pointer from the left wing, and at the same time caused VanVleet to foul and hit a free throw, leaving 31 in the fourth quarterAt 6 seconds, the 76ers led 127-122. Green hit a three-pointer, Melton was fouled and hit one of two free throws, Green broke through and scored, and the Rockets trailed 127-128. Melton hit both free throws, and after the Rockets called a timeout, Landale missed the basket and Morris got the rebound and was fouled, making one of two free throws to give the 76ers a 131-127 victory.
76ers starting lineup: Maxey, Melton, Oubre, Harris, Reed.
Rockets starting lineup: VanVleet, Green, Tate, Jeff Green, Shin Kyung.