Final Minutes of Cavs-76ers Features Drama, Near Altercation

The Philadelphia 76ers earned a hard-fought 108-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday, but the contest's final minutes featured drama that had little to do with the game's outcome. 

With 2:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, Philadelphia's Dario Saric drained a three-pointer in front of the Cavs bench to increase the visitors' lead to 98-94. Saric commemorated the moment by staring down Cleveland's players while retreating to play defense. 

In the final 30 seconds of play, Philadelphia guard Ben Simmons delivered a surprise inbounds pass off the back of Cleveland's Rodney Hood before cruising toward the bucket for an easy dunk. 

Saric then had an opportunity to run the clock out and cement an eight-point victory, but he instead elected to drop an uncontested dunk that appeared to upset teammate Joel Embiid. 

Cleveland's Jordan Clarkson reacted by throwing the ball off Saric's back, a decision that earned him an early trip to the showers. 

Nobody said the process would be polite.