The Philadelphia 76ers have been dealing with a lot of adversity over the past few days, but a trip back home always seems to cure this team of whatever is ailing them.
While missing All-Star Ben Simmons, the Sixers had to lean on Joel Embiid more and he delivered in a big way. The superstar big man poured in a career-high 49 points on 17-for-24 shooting and 14 rebounds in a 129-112 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Philadelphia improves to 27-2 at home with the win.
Embiid said after the loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday that he accepted the responsibility of not being a leader and that it was on him. He basically said he had to do more and more is exactly what he did as he went to the foul line 15 times and making Dewayne Dedmon’s life miserable for Atlanta.
He also had a little fun along the way.
Joel’s BIG block has the Philly fans on their feet 👏 #CenterCourt pic.twitter.com/JO2Nevi6uQ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 25, 2020
Along with a big effort by Embiid, the Sixers also received 25 points out of Tobias Harris who was originally listed as doubtful for this team due to a right knee contusion. He looked like his usual self as he knocked down four of his six attempts from deep.
Furkan Korkmaz had 15 points off the bench, Josh Richardson had 13 points and six rebounds and Al Horford had seven points, eight rebounds, and five assists in his return to the starting lineup.
Philadelphia buckled down on the defensive end after a poor third quarter. They allowed the Hawks to score 40 in the third that turned a 21 point Sixers lead into a one-point lead for Atlanta heading into the fourth. Philadelphia then held the Hawks to just 20 points in the final frame.
The Sixers must now hit the road on Wednesday to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. [lawrence-related id=26384,26388,26374]