The Philadelphia 76ers returned home on Friday and they did what they normally do at home: win.
They knocked off the Memphis Grizzlies 119-107 and led by as many as 33 points. It was another one of those terrific nights at home for a team that is now an NBA-best 23-2 at home.
The leader on this night was Furkan Korkmaz who scored 20 points in the first half alone on his way to a career-high 34 for the game. He also drilled seven of his nine attempts from deep, but if you ask Ben Simmons, this is nothing new for him.
“I expect him to do that,” said Simmons. “I believe in him so much every time he shoots the ball and that’s just how I feel about all my teammates. If he (Tobias Harris) was doing the same thing, I wouldn’t be shocked. Guys put in the work and it’s going to pay off, at times. I’m glad he had the night he did tonight. It was huge. When you got guys who are ready and stay ready, it helps so much.”
Ben Simmons says he isn’t surprised by what Furkan Korkmaz did tonight #Sixers pic.twitter.com/5xF80oNLl2
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) February 8, 2020
Korkmaz himself said he was feeling good in this one and it was hard not to when considering the type of night he was having. He was just in a zone that players go into when they get hot.
“It’s a good feeling,” he explained. “You score, fans, your teammates, your coaching staff, like everybody was ready today. That reminds me a little bit of my Summer League game in Vegas. It was a really good feeling today.”
The Sixers will now have to keep this rolling with another home game on Sunday when they host the Chicago Bulls. [lawrence-related id=25201,25190,25180]