The Philadelphia 76ers are about to enter one of their toughest stretches of the season and they will do so without the help of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, their two best players. For one night at least, their two big-money guys stepped up in big ways.
Tobias Harris had 34 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists and Al Horford had 15 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds to lead the Sixers to a 115-106 win over the New York Knicks.
“If you start adding up the statistics of Al Horford and Tobias, those two were excellent tonight and we needed it all,” said coach Brett Brown. “After a disappointing team performance, I know they wish they had that one back, for them and us to respond as those two did, was a great sign and it doesn’t surprise me.”
Harris and Horford accumulated 49 points and 16 rebounds between them and they really needed to put on a performance like this. Especially after one of their worst losses of the season on Wednesday.
“Al with some timely threes, Tobias grabbing the game at the end with a bucket and a great pass to Shake (Milton) in the corner,” Brown added. “I think those two players after last night, good for them. They’re good people, they work hard, and it doesn’t surprise me.”
Milton had 19 points and he shot 5-for-5 from deep and he, along with Harris and Horford, were able to hold off a valiant Knicks run. A Philadelphia lead that was once 20 points was down to just four in the third quarter and they needed to be able to make some plays to get it done and win it.
“We know the game is a game of runs and they were going to make their hit,” said Milton. “We just had to be ready to withstand it and Al and Tobias stepped up in huge ways and they were able to lead us to a victory.”
The Sixers have a lot of money invested in the two of them and they need this on a consistent basis. They will absolutely be tested on this upcoming 4-game west coast trip beginning on Sunday when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers. [lawrence-related id=26662,26655,26638]