When the Philadelphia 76ers acquired James Harden final season, he was purported to kind a deadly mixture with Joel Embiid.
It by no means absolutely materialized within the 2021-22 season.
Quick ahead to now, and the Harden-Embiid duo arguably is changing into probably the most harmful one-two punch within the league. And their prowess can be on show Sunday when the Sixers search for their eighth consecutive victory as they battle the host New York Knicks in a Christmas Day showdown.
Embiid scored 44 factors and Harden added 20 factors, a career-high 21 assists and 11 rebounds because the Sixers swept a seven-game homestand with a 119-114 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
Harden tied a franchise document for assists — becoming a member of Wilt Chamberlain and Maurice Cheeks — and have become the eighth participant in NBA historical past to succeed in 70 profession triple-doubles. Eleven of these assists led to Embiid factors.
“I feel they’re enjoying collectively. I imply numbers clever, clearly it’s the greatest,” Sixers head coach Doc Rivers stated. “However I simply suppose they’ve an important chemistry and it’s simply gonna continue to grow.”
The 76ers rallied from a 20-point first-half deficit, they usually continued to win with out Tyrese Maxey, out with a fractured left foot. Maxey is anticipated again in about one week.
Reserve Shake Milton has taken benefit of the chance for extra enjoying time and produced 13 factors off the bench.
“I imply he was like recent produce on the market, so he simply stored consuming and stored going,” stated De’Anthony Melton, who additionally had 13 factors, of Milton. “That’s what we’d like as a staff and, you recognize, as a participant.”
After a powerful eight-game successful streak, the Knicks have dropped consecutive video games to the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls.
RJ Barrett scored 44 factors and, Julius Randle added 29 factors and 12 rebounds, however the Knicks fell 118-117 to the Bulls on Friday.
DeMar DeRozan’s jumper with 0.4 seconds remaining was the distinction, and the loss left Barrett deflated.
“It’s not the identical with out the win,” Barrett stated. “Tonight, I had it going. It’s simply irritating to not get the win. I really feel like we did sufficient issues properly to win that sport, however we got here up quick.”
Barrett shot 14 of-20 from the sphere, together with 6 of 6 from past the 3-point arc, to go together with seven rebounds and 4 assists. Greater than the statistics, Barrett has continued to excel in all areas.
“RJ being RJ,” Jalen Brunson stated. “He was in assault mode for 48 minutes. He carried us. Particularly once we wanted it. We simply obtained to shut it out for him.”
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau had little downside diagnosing the distinction between successful and dropping: protection.
“I simply felt like we by no means obtained our protection established,” Thibodeau stated. “It was an offensive sport. Laborious to gradual these kind of fellows down as soon as they get their confidence going like they did. Then that they had some well timed rebounds, we missed some free throws. Issues can change actual quick on this league.”
The Knicks are simply 8-9 at house this season, however the 76ers are 5-7 on the street.
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Publish date: 2022-12-24 22:48:56
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