Joel Embiid had 48 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to lift the host Philadelphia 76ers over the Washington Wizards 146-128 on Monday (Tuesday, November 7, Manila time).
Tyrese Maxey added 22 points and a career-high 11 assists, Tobias Harris contributed 18 points and De’Anthony Melton had 14 for the Sixers, who won their fifth in a row after a season-opening loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Nicolas Batum had 11 points in his 76ers debut after he was acquired in the blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for James Harden.
Kyle Kuzma led the struggling Wizards with 28 points, while Jordan Poole added 23 and Deni Avdija followed with 16.
The Wizards have dropped four straight and five of six to open the season.
The 76ers kept playing an aggressive style and led 133-107 when Maxey dribbled the length of the court and scored with 8:26 left in the fourth quarter. They cruised to the easy victory the rest of the way.
Philadelphia was dominant throughout the first half and led 64-43 with 3:37 remaining in the second following a dunk by Harris.
Kuzma tried to keep the Wizards close with 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting in the half. He hit a 3-pointer with 1:07 left, but Washington still trailed 71-56.
Philadelphia pulled out to a 75-58 advantage at halftime thanks in large part to Embiid’s 19 points, Harris’ 16 and Melton’s 14, which included four 3-pointers.
Daniel Gafford contributed five blocked shots in the opening half for the Wizards.
Maxey and Embiid converted consecutive pick-and-rolls in the low post early in the third for an 88-70 lead.
Kuzma dropped in a trey from the corner with 6:27 left in the third and the Wizards trailed 94-79.
Embiid backed down Gafford in the paint on the next possession and scored easily.
Patrick Beverley came off the bench to hit a 3-pointer and the 76ers led 110-88 with 3:02 to go.
Embiid, who had 29 points in the third alone, then converted a three-point play with 1:55 left for a commanding 115-93 advantage. – Rappler.com
