Joel Embiid, who is waiting to play with James Harden, recruited at the end of the transfer window, guided the Sixers to victory once morest the Thunder (100-87), Friday in the NBA, while Cleveland and Chicago, second and third in the East , beat Minnesota and Indiana.
“The Beard”, traded Thursday with Ben Simmons left for the Nets, will not make his debut until Tuesday, at best, warned coach Doc Rivers. In the meantime, Embiid still takes care of almost everything, since he was overly dominant inside (25 pts, 19 rebounds, 5 once morest).
“He’s James Harden, one of the best players in the league. An MVP (in 2018, editor’s note). It’s very exciting. If you add a player like him to your team, your chances of winning the championship are even better,” he said.
The serious candidate for the MVP title was not the only one to struggle, however, since Tyrese Maxey was also prolific (24 points) and one of the few to shine with his skill, in this match where his team only shot at 38.7% success rate.
The 76ers remain 5th, three ranks behind Cleveland, Indiana scorer (120-113).
A 4th victory in a row which took shape in the money-time, since the Cavs were led by fifteen lengths at the end of the third quarter.
Holder for his second game, Caris LeVert, recruited this week, did not give his former team a gift (22 pts, 5 assists), no more than Jarrett Allen (also 22 pts, 14 rebounds).
On the Pacers side, stuck in 13th place with this 5th consecutive loss, rookies from Sacramento, Tyrese Haliburton (23 pts) and Buddy Hield (16 pts, 9 rebounds, 8 assists), showed good things.
– Murray plume les Hawks –
Cleveland is just ahead of Chicago, winner (134-122) at home to the Timberwolves.
DeMar DeRozan once more exceeded thirty points, 31 exactly, well supported by Nikola Vucevic (26 pts). Opposite, Anthony Edwards (27 pts) stood out.
Boston (7th), for its part, overcame Denver at the Garden (108-102).
A seventh victory in a row for the Celtics, in particular due to the perseverance of Jayson Tatum (24 pts), not very successful at long distance (1/8) but in cold blood in the last minutes with crucial free throws returned.
On the Nuggets side (6th in the West), Nikola Jokic managed a vain triple-double (23 pts, 16 rebounds, 11 assists) which was almost quadruple in the wrong direction, with no less than 9 lost balls. Too much for the reigning MVP, who has been under relentless defensive pressure from his opponents.
In Charlotte, the Hornets (9th) stopped their series of consecutive defeats at six, taking revenge on the Pistons (141-119). LaMelo Ball shone (31 pts, 12 assists).
On the Detroit side, the “Frenchie” Killian Hayes achieved one of his best performances (11 pts, 12 assists) off the bench, in a match where the defenses have admittedly left a few boulevards.
Finally, Atlanta (10th), for its part, fell back into its ways, spanked (136-121) on its floor by San Antonio (12th in the West).
The Spurs, led by the excellent Dejounte Murray, author of a big triple-double (32 pts, 15 assists, 10 rebounds), showed remarkable skill behind the arc (56.3%).
nip/dth
