The Philadelphia 76ers entered Friday’s game with the Grizzlies needing a win in the worst way. They would get it in emphatic fashion with a 119-107 win. The game was not as close as the final score indicated.
After a competitive first quarter, the Sixers blew things open in the second, ripping off a 28-13 run to close the period and taking a 14-point advantage into the break.
Joel Embiid had a much better start than he did in Milwaukee on Thursday, posting a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds in the first half. Ben Simmons chipped in 16 first-half points on 6-of-11 shooting, while Furkan Korkmaz exploded for 20 while connecting on 8-of-9 shots, including 4-of-5 from 3.
The onslaught would continue in the third quarter, as the Sixers poured in 39 points in the period and would extend their lead to 31. Memphis would trim into the lead in the fourth, but the outcome was never in doubt and the Sixers would walk away with the 119-107 win.
Korkmaz finished with a career-high 34 points on 13-of-17 shooting, hitting 7-of-9 from beyond the arc. He added six rebounds and four assists and had a few bright spots on the defensive end as well.
Ben Simmons chipped in 22 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Tobias Harris hit 3-of-4 from deep on his way to 21 points and added six rebounds and five assists. Al Horford finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Joel Embiid did not return to the game after halftime, sitting out with what the team called “neck stiffness.”
The performance was exactly what the doctor ordered. The team played with energy and performed well at both ends of the floor. The Sixers shot 53.3% overall and 56% from 3. They assisted on 34 of their 48 made baskets, showing great ball movement. The offense looked more fluid than it has in a long time.
The Sixers backed up the quality offensive play with a strong defensive effort. The Grizzlies shot 40.9% from the floor and just 23.8% from 3. Philadelphia had eight steals and 11 blocks and held electric Memphis rookie Ja Morant to just 15 points on 4-of-12 shooting.
With the win, the Sixers have an opportunity to catch their breath and regroup after a disastrous road trip. They were desperate for anything positive, and they got a lot of positives on Friday. The team will be back in action Sunday when they host the Bulls. [lawrence-related id=25201,25136]