Tyrese Maxey scored 42 points (19 in the second quarter), and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Houston Rockets 131-127.
De'Anthony Melton’s driving layup answered Tari Eason’s driving layup and put the 76ers back ahead for good with 1:12 left in the fourth quarter.
The Rockets got within 128-127 on Jalen Green’s driving layup with 17 seconds to play, but Melton answered with 2 free throws, and the Rockets got no closer.
Marcus Morris Sr.’s 3-pointer with 31.6 seconds left made it 126-122, and his free throw with 1.8 seconds left put it away at 131-127.
During clutch time, the 76ers outscored the Rockets 19-18. Patrick Beverley scored 5 of the 76ers’ 19 on 1 for 1 shooting and 2 for 2 at the line. Early in the fourth quarter, Robert Covington had 2 of his 3 steals.
Tobias Harris had 22 points (14 in the paint), 7 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks.
For the Rockets, Fred VanVleet had a season-high 33 points and 10 assists, and Jalen Green added 31 points on 12 for 19 shooting. Alperen Sengun had 28 points and 8 assists on 12 for 16 shooting. The Rockets had 2 30-point scorers.
The Rockets turned it over 17 times, about 4 more than usual for this many possessions. The 76ers’ starters were outscored 51-41 in 17 minutes together. Sengun fouled out.