29,000-Point Milestone! Harden's 21+5+5 Makes Him First NBA Player to Achieve This, Cavaliers Sweep 76ers

On March 10 Beijing time, the Cavaliers defeated the 76ers 115-101 at home, winning all four regular-season meetings this season and sweeping their opponent. Harden contributed 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, becoming the ninth player in NBA history to reach the 29,000-point milestone.He became the first player in history to achieve 29,000 career points while also making at least 3,000 three-pointers.He is also the second player in history to record at least 29,000 points and 8,000 assists, the first being LeBron James (43,127 points and 11,892 assists).

In this game, the 76ers played with a depleted lineup, with Embiid, George, Maxey, and Echekwu all resting. The Cavaliers led by 12 points at halftime and continued to widen the gap in the second half, securing an easy victory.

Statistics

76ers: Grimes 17 points 5 rebounds 3 assists, Payne 12 points 6 rebounds 4 assists, Edwards 14 points 3 assists, Bona 8 points 7 rebounds, Barlow 8 points, Oubre 6 points, Terry 9 points 4 assists, Watford 6 points 5 rebounds, Drummond 4 points 7 rebounds.

Cavaliers: Harden 21 points 5 rebounds 5 assists, Mitchell 17 points 3 rebounds 6 assists, Ellis 19 points, Mobley 15 points 8 rebounds, Tyson 11 points, Wade 13 points 10 rebounds, Toppin 8 points 5 rebounds, Schröder 4 points.

Player of the Game

Harden performed excellently, unlocked the milestone, and led the Cavaliers to a comfortable win over the 76ers.

Milestone Moment

Harden made a free throw, scoring his 4th point of the game and reaching a career total of 29,000 points.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Barlow scored on a floater, Oubre made two free throws, and the 76ers started 4-0. Mobley dunked, Mitchell hit a mid-range shot, and Grimes connected on consecutive three-pointers to help the 76ers maintain their lead. Toppin dunked, Harden made four consecutive free throws, unlocking the 29,000-point milestone. Harden and Ellis hit three-pointers, Schröder also scored 4 points in a row, and the Cavaliers overtook the 76ers. Tyson hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer, ending the first quarter with the Cavaliers leading 26-20.

In the second quarter, Edwards scored 5 points in a row, Mitchell erupted with 9 consecutive points, Wade hit a three-pointer, and the Cavaliers extended their lead to 13 points. Bona dunked, Ellis and Harden hit three-pointers, Grimes scored 4 points in a row, but Ellis remained hot, continuing to hit three-pointers. Harden scored on a drive. Payne of the 76ers responded by scoring 7 points in a row, but the 76ers still trailed by double digits. At halftime, the Cavaliers led 56-44.

After switching sides, Mobley scored on a layup, Barlow hit a hook shot, Harden was in hot form, scoring 9 points in a row, and the Cavaliers led by 17 points. Bona dunked, Wade hit consecutive three-pointers. Tyson and Toppin also hit three-pointers, pushing the Cavaliers' lead to 25 points. Terry and Watford scored inside, Toppin received a technical foul, Ellis completed a 2+1, Drummond made two free throws, and at the end of the third quarter, the Cavaliers led 87-66.

In the fourth quarter, Mobley dunked, Edwards and Terry hit three-pointers, and Tyson also responded from outside. Mobley and Drummond exchanged powerful dunks. Edwards hit another three-pointer, reducing the 76ers' deficit to 16 points. Wade scored 4 points in a row, Martin and Merrill scored on layups, Mitchell hit a mid-range shot, Mobley dunked, and the Cavaliers led by 22 points. Both teams withdrew their starters, the game entered garbage time, and ultimately, the Cavaliers defeated the 76ers.

Starting Lineups

76ers: Payne, Grimes, Oubre, Barlow, Bona

Cavaliers: Harden, Mitchell, Wade, Merrill, Mobley