76ers beat the Nets 137-133 in first matchup between Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons
The Philadelphia 76ers returned home from a 5-0 road trip and kept the train rolling against Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets, winning their sixth straight game 137-133.
James Harden drained two 3-pointers and drove the lane for a layup in the final four minutes to halt a late push from the Nets.
Embiid vs Simmons
In case you weren’t paying attention, tonight was the first time that Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons played against each other since he was traded to Brooklyn for James Harden last February. Needless to say, it was quite the show, with words exchanged and stares between the former teammates. You could definitely feel the energy bleed over to the rest of each team, with six technical fouls called tonight.
Ben Simmons with a business decision.
While it’s obviously entertaining, when Joel Embiid gets emotional, he typically doesn’t play that well in tense games like these. Tonight was no different, but I’ll give him a pass because much like everyone else in the city of Philadelphia, he absolutely hates Ben Simmons.
JOEL EMBIID: THRUST THE PROCESS
Joel Embiid had 26 points and 10 rebounds, James Harden scored 23 points and seven assists, while De’Anthony Melton added 19 and three blocks, and Tobias Harris dropped 18 points.
Tyrese Maxey who should now be the front runner for sixth man of the year, scored 16 of his 27 points in the second half, adding five assists on the night. Matisse Thybulle had 10 and three steals off the bench.
The Sixers got contributions from all over the roster, with six players scoring in double digits on the night.
- Tyrese Maxey: 27 PTS | 3 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL
- Joel Embiid: 26 PTS | 10 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL
- James Harden: 23 PTS | 7 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK
- De’Anthony Melton: 19 PTS | 4 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL
- Tobias Harris: 18 PTS | 4 REB | 2 AST
- Matisse Thybulle: 10 PTS | 2 REB | 1 AST | 3 STL
Georges Niang did not score a point tonight, but clamping up Simmons and screaming in his face while the entire arena chanted “Fuck Ben Simmons” certainly checked the boxes.
Georges Niang: Sound On
Sixers killer Seth Curry scored a season-high 32 points for Brooklyn, while Kyrie Irving scored 30 points. Simmons, who was held scoreless on one field goal attempt in the first half, scored 10 points in the third quarter, finishing the game with 12.
The Nets have now lost five of their last seven games without Kevin Durant. KD, out with a right MCL sprain remained active on Twitter throughout the night, commenting on the trash talk during the game while expressing his dislike for Embiid’s signature Degeneration X crotch chop after a three-point play.
The Philadelphia 76ers will host Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
