PHILADELPHIA 76ers surged to solo first place in the 2020-2021 National Basketball Association (NBA) Season following a 127-112 triumph over Charlotte Hornets at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines).
Tobias Harris tallied 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists while Seth Curry and Joel Embiid supplied 21 and 19 markers respectively as the 76ers rose to a 5-1 win-loss slate.
The 76ers had a strong start behind Harris and Daniel Green for a 36-19 edge. The Hornets rallied to within 49-59 in the second period, but shots from Curry and Embiid pushed the Philadelphia up, 73-58.
In the third quarter, the Hornets attempted to come close anew at 76-66, but consecutive shots from Ben Simmons and Curry increased Philadelphia’s advantage to 104-90 heading into the fourth frame.
After seeing their advantage cut anew, 103-113, the 76ers went for the kill with conversions from Harris, Embiid and Shake Milton to push the lead to 127-110 with over a minute left.
Terry Rozier finished the match with 35 points while Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball added 20 and 13 markers respectively as the Hornets slid to 2-4.
Meanwhile, Houston Rockets bucked the absence of James Harden to record a 102-94 victory over Sacramento Kings. John Wall top-scored with 28 points as the Rockets climbed to 2-2.
Cleveland Cavaliers snapped their losing run with a 96-91 win over Atlanta Hawks as both teams are now tied at 4-2. Collin Sexton finished the outing with 27 points while JaVale McGee added 14 markers.
New York Knicks climbed to 3-3 slate with a 106-102 escape over Indiana Pacers (4-2). RJ Barrett top-scored with 25 points while Elfrid Payton contributed 19 markers.
In other results, Oklahoma City Thunder (2-3) stunned Orlando Magic (4-2), 108-99 while New Orleans Pelicans (4-2) took down the Toronto Raptors (1-4), 120-116.
BOX SCORE:
PHILADELPHIA 127 – Harris 24, Curry 21, Embiid 19, Milton 18, Green 15, Simmons 11, Maxey 9, Howard 5, Thybulle 3.
CHARLOTTE 112 – Rozier 35, Hayward 20, Ball 13, Biyombo 9, Washington 9, Martin 9, Bridges 8, Graham 5, McDaniels 4.
QUARTERSCORES:
Q1, 39-24; Q2, 73-58; Q3, 104-90; Q4, 127-112./PN
