With a five-game road trip on the horizon, tonight, the 76ers will take the floor one last time at home before spending nine days out west. The Sixers are 10-games over .500 at 25-15 after a commanding, 147-116, win over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night. This evening they host the 18-23 Oklahoma City Thunder. They look to add to their 17-6 home record. The Thunder 5-14 away from Oklahoma.
In the win over Detroit, Philadelphia shot 60 percent from the field while holding the Pistons to just 40 percent shooting on the evening. Six players posted in double-figures for the Sixers. Led by All-Star center Joel Embiid’s 36 points and 11 rebounds, done in just 24 minutes of work. The points and assists were both game-highs for the big fella.
James Harden finished with his second consecutive triple-double of 16 points, 12 boards, and 15 assists in 26 minutes. This was the 72nd triple-double of his career. The eighth most in NBA history. Tremendous work by setting the pace of the game, controlling the floor, and dictating how the game would eventually play out. Embiid and Harden really have a good thing going as they try to work the pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop to perfection. A developing aspect of the game to monitor. As a team, the Sixers dominated on the glass, 55-26 with 10 on the offensive end. Also, 36 assists on 54 made baskets.
On New Year’s Eve in Oklahoma City, the 76ers dominated the Thunder on their home floor, 115-96. Four players scored in double-digits on that Saturday for Philadelphia. Led by Harris’s 23 on 10 for 17 shooting in a starring role. He also grabbed nine rebounds and handed out four assists in 31 minutes. Milton returned to his hometown of Oklahoma to drop 18 with four boards and seven assists as a starter that night. De’Anthony Melton netted 16, picked up seven rebounds, and shared three dimes while sharing the backcourt with Milton. Embiid recorded a triple-double of his own in this contest with 16 points, a game-high 13 rebounds, and 10 assists as he found another way to dominate in this one. His fifth career triple-double. Josh Giddey paced the Thunder with 20 points and nine boards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 14.
The Thunder will be playing the second game of a four-game road trip, dropping the first one in a close contest, 112-111. OKC led with less than a minute and a half to play after an Aaron Wiggins basket with the score, 111-106. The Thunder missed two shots from the floor, two free throws and turned the ball over one time during that stretch as they suffered their 14th loss on the road. A tough defeat for sure. Gilgeous-Alexander had 26 for OKC to lead them in scoring, Giddey had a triple-double posting 18 points, 15 boards, and 10 assists. Three other players scored in double-figures in the lost.