King Slayers: 76ers defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 107-106
The Philadelphia 76ers’ passed the biggest test of the season by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 107-106. They improve to 13-6 on the season and remain at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Tobias Harris hit a pull-up jumper on the Sixers’ last possession of the game. The Sixers dominated throughout, only to watch a 14 point lead disappear with five minutes left in the game.
LeBron James scored 34 points and hauled in six rebounds to go along with six assists in a losing effort. James was able to keep the Lakers competitive throughout the night but in the end, it simply wasn’t enough.
Ben Simmons came out firing, as he typically does when facing LeBron James, and scored six of the Sixers’ first nine points. Simmons was aggressive early and attacked James with every possession. Simmons notched another triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Doc Rivers even used Simmons at center while Embiid was out of the game, which is a notable development from year’s past.
Speaking of the big man, Embiid shined yet again and improved his case to be the NBA’s most valuable player. Joel finished with 28 points, six rebounds, and four assists. The Lakers were all over him and Embiid made them pay, going 11-13 from the foul line. Even with that, the refs were absolutely zero help tonight and it pained all 76ers fans watching Embiid fall to the court on his back after LeBron James pushed him while he was in the air and defenseless.
Between the refs, Doris Burke, and the Lakers complaining the entire game, the Sixers win was even sweeter than you would expect from beating the top seed in the Western Conference. Outside of Simmons and Embiid, the rest of the team complimented their tremendous performances. Tobias Harris hit the game winner and finished with 24 points on 10-16 shooting. Danny Green scored 14 points on 5-11 shooting.
Wednesday night on the national stage against a Lakers team that entered the night 10-0 on the road. It can’t get any better than that, folks.
Mandatory Credit: BILL STREICHER | USA TODAY SPORTS
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