Game Preview — Sixers vs Pelicans
After a four-game road trip that saw the 76ers go 2-2, they return home for three. Beginning with the Pelicans who are in town for a rematch.
It’s the beginning of the 2023 portion of the Sixers schedule, through 35 games they sport a 21-14 record, 14-5 in Philadelphia at The Center. The 76ers are fifth in the East, just one game back of the Cleveland Cavaliers who are seeded fourth. Tonight, they host the 23-13 New Orleans Pelicans who are 7-9 on the road. These two teams squared off just four days ago on a Friday night at the Smoothie King Center in Louisiana. With the Pels downing the Sixers, 127-116.
Joel Embiid paced Philadelphia with 37 points on 14 for 22 shooting, grabbing eight rebounds and handed out five assists. James Harden added a double-double of 20 points and 10 assists on the evening. But these two individual performances weren’t enough to overcome an amazing shooting night by veteran guard CJ McCollum and a spectacular overall game by Zion Williamson. McCollum set a franchise record from three, making 11 on 16 tries en route to a game-high 42 points. The talented forward Williamson used his speed and force totaling 36 on 13 for 19 shooting. New Orleans scored 30-plus points in three of the four quarters and outscored Philadelphia by three in the final frame.
The Pelicans outscored the 76ers 30-8 in fast break points, 14-6 on second-chance opportunities and forced the Sixers into 19 turnovers leading to 30 points off the miscues. New Orleans coughed the ball up 14 times with the Sixers scoring 19. A plus-11 in points scored off the turnovers – a contributing factor in the game and final score. Tonight presents an opportunity for Philadelphia to protect their home floor as the host like the Pelicans did nights ago.
On Saturday night in Oklahoma City, the Sixers took down the Thunder by a final score, 115-97. Embiid had a low-scoring night but recorded his fifth career triple-double by posting 16 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Tobias Harris led the team in scoring with 23, including nine rebounds and four assists. The backcourt of Shake Milton (18) and De’Anthony Melton (17) combined for 35 points, each handing out five assists with Melton gathering seven boards. Milton started in place of James Harden who was out with foot management and Matisse Thybulle started for PJ Tucker who missed the game due to knee management. Josh Giddey scored 20 to lead the Thunder.
After defeating the Sixers on that Friday night, the Pelicans traveled to Memphis to face the Grizzlies, falling, 116-101. Six players scored in double figures for New Orleans, led by Williamson’s 20. After erupting for 42 against the 76ers, McCollum was only able to 10 while shooting 4 for 16 from the field and just 1 for 7 from beyond. Let’s see if Philadelphia’s defense can hold these two talents to a more modest total this time around.
