Cameron Payne made all eight of his 3-point attempts and scored a career-high 32 points as the Philadelphia 76ers used a 21-2 fourth-quarter run to storm past the visiting Memphis Grizzlies 139-129 on Tuesday.
Kelly Oubre Jr. added 31 points and 12 rebounds for Philadelphia, which announced prior to the game that All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey (finger) will miss at least three more weeks. Quentin Grimes (22 points) and VJ Edgecombe (21) also helped make up for Maxey’s absence as the Sixers avoided their fifth loss in six games.
Payne was the primary star, however, finishing 9 of 10 from the field to go along with 10 assists, three steals and two blocks in 30 minutes off the bench.
Memphis lost its fifth straight game despite 26 points and eight assists from Ty Jerome. GG Jackson pitched in with 15 points and Cedric Coward notched 13 points and 16 boards for the Grizzlies, who led by as many as 14 in the second half.
Jerome’s 3-pointer put Memphis ahead 115-107 with 9:34 left, but Philadelphia came roaring back beginning with five points by Oubre and a dunk by Dominick Barlow.
After Grimes’ free throws put the Sixers in front by a point, Payne drained a 3-pointer — his seventh in as many attempts. Shortly thereafter, buckets by Grimes and Dalen Terry and a three-point play by Barlow stretched the lead to double figures.
Oubre led all scorers with 11 first-quarter points as the teams ended the opening session in a 32-32 tie.
In the second quarter, Payne shot 5 of 5 from the floor and 4 of 4 from 3-point range. Neither team led by more than five points in the period with the Grizzlies heading into the locker room in front 71-68.
Memphis built its lead up to 97-83 with 2:46 left in the third quarter, but Philadelphia outscored the visitors 15-7 down the stretch — including a 3-pointer by Payne — to get within six heading into the fourth.
