NBA: Tyrese Maxey scores 33, lifts 76ers over Raptors to split season series

Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points Monday night as the visiting Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Toronto Raptors 115-102, splitting the two-game series.

Philadelphia looked like a different team, showing stronger defense with the return of Joel Embiid and Paul George, who were absent when Toronto won 116-115 in overtime on Sunday. Embiid contributed 27 points and eight rebounds, while George added 15 points. VJ Edgecombe chipped in 15 points and eight assists to help the 76ers even the four-game season series.

For Toronto, Immanuel Quickley led with 18 points, Brandon Ingram added 17, Scottie Barnes scored 15, A.J. Lawson had 14, and Collin Murray-Boyles finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.

Philadelphia held a 22-point lead entering the fourth quarter. Toronto opened the quarter with five straight points, trimming the deficit to 17. Barnes made two free throws to cut it to 15 with 4:53 remaining, but Embiid responded with a driving hook shot.

Fans gave a standing ovation to former Raptors star Kyle Lowry, who entered the game with 1:57 left. Lowry, who has played sparingly this season, could be making his final appearance in Toronto as a player.

The 76ers dominated early, with Maxey scoring 18 points in the first quarter to help Philadelphia take a 45-28 lead. Jabari Walker extended the lead with a 3-pointer and a layup, giving Philadelphia a 22-point advantage midway through the second quarter. Edgecombe’s steal and pass to Kelly Oubre Jr., who made an uncontested layup, pushed the lead to 26 points, while Maxey’s 3-pointer later extended it to 29. Philadelphia led 80-51 at halftime, marking the most points Toronto has allowed in a half this season.

The 76ers shot an impressive 73% (27-for-37) from the field in the first half, including 65% from three-point range (13-for-20), while Toronto struggled at 37% (17-for-46), making only 15% of their three-point attempts (3-for-20).

In the third quarter, Edgecombe’s 3-pointer gave Philadelphia a 33-point lead. Even with Embiid on the bench, Toronto mounted a 17-3 run to cut the deficit to 18 with 40 seconds remaining. The 76ers still led 99-77 entering the fourth quarter.

—Field Level Media/Reuters