But Yabusele was not alone—just inches away from Jerome, the Sixers mascot, Franklin the Dog, was doing everything he could to make an impact on the play. Whatever it was, it worked, as Jerome ...

The Sixers entered the home game on a seven-game ... the ball with nine seconds remaining in regulation, the 76ers’ mascot got as close as he could without touching the Cavs’ guard.

Fortunately, Philadelphia could rely on Franklin the Dog to provide some late-game defense with the Sixers nursing a three-point lead. As Cleveland's Ty Jerome prepared to inbound the ball with nine ...