The long-awaited return to the National Basketball Association (NBA) was marked with a victory Joel Embiid.
The Philadelphia 76ers (41/35) led by the tall man made a winning streak at home against the Oklahoma Thunder (52/23) – 109:105 (25:22, 19:32, 29:26, 36:25).
After trailing for almost the entire second part of the match, the 76ers burned a double-digit deficit (83:94) in the fourth quarter. With three minutes left to play, Kelly Oubre tied the score with a layup with a foul (104-103). “Thunder” went back ahead with Luguentz Dort’s shot (105:104), but during the rest of the period, only free throws of the home team reached their goal, four of which belonged to J. Embiid.
J. Embiid, who did not play for two months due to a meniscus injury, returned solidly – 29 minutes, 24 points (6/11 two-pointers, 0/3 three-pointers, 12/12 free throws), 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 6 turnovers, 7 assists and 4 fouls.
“I think I played poorly. Usually when I come back from something like that I put up 30 or 40 points, I do whatever it takes to get the win. Everything is a little different this time, it will take time to feel like myself again. As long as we win, the most important thing for me is to help the team in defense”, said the Cameroonian after the match.
It was not easy for the 76ers, who played without a leader for a long time. With him, the Philadelphia club achieved 27 wins and 8 losses, without the star this ratio is much worse – 14/27. This time it was also done without Tyrese Maxey.
In this meeting, the 76ers made an exemplary three-pointer (14/30, 47 percent), thus compensating for a slight loss in the battle for the ball (42:43) and less frequent assists – 27:30.
The task of the Philadelphia club was made a little easier by the fact that the rivals were without the leaders Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, who suffered minor injuries. This duo alone averages 49.8 points for the team.
After trying to replace them Chet Holmgren scored 22 points (4/8 2-pointers, 3/6 3-pointers, 5/5 free throws), 7 rebounds, an assist, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers and 4 fouls in 29 minutes.
The Oklahoma club is tied for second place in the West and is already assured of a place in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the 76ers occupy the eighth place in the Eastern Conference and have six remaining games to catch up with the Indiana Pacers (43/33) and get out of the relegation zone.
The Thunder will continue their road trip in Boston, the 76ers will travel to Miami.
76ers: Kelly Oubre 25 (6 rebounds, 4/7 3-pointers), Joel Embiid 24 (12/12 penalty years, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 turnovers, 6 fouls), Tobias Harris 18 (6 rpg, 4 rpg, 5/8 3-pointers), Paul Reed 12 (9 rpg), Cameron Payne 10 (10 rpg, 5 rpg) ).
Thunder: Chet Holmgren 22 (7 rpg, 3/6 tr), Aaron Wiggins (3 rpg) and Luguentz Dort (8 rpg, 3/6 tr) 15 each, Isaiah Joe 14 (4/11 3-pointer, 4 rpg, 7 rpg), Josh Giddey 10 (5 rpg), … , Jaylin Williams 6 (6 rpg, 12 rpg, 0/5 pt ).
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