The 76ers (35-19) will look to cap a perfect back-to-back Saturday against the Brooklyn Nets (33-22), facing the second New York City squad in as many days.
It’ll be another matchup between two of the East’s top teams, as the Sixers occupy the No. 3 seed while the Nets hold No. 5.
The Sixers took a 119-108 victory over the Knicks in the back-to-back opener Friday at home, as Joel Embiid notched his 30th 30-plus-point performance of the season, and Tyrese Maxey launched off the bench for a 27-point outing.
The Sixers weathered an early storm and finished strong, out-scoring the Knicks 27-15 in the pivotal fourth quarter.
James Harden neared triple-double territory once again, finishing with 20 points, eight rebounds, and 12 assists.
The Sixers and Nets last met on Jan. 25, as the Sixers took a 137-133 victory in South Philadelphia.
Maxey led the way for the Sixers in that matchup, scoring another set of 27 points off the bench, plus three rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Embiid notched a 26-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Harden totalled 23 points, three rebounds, seven assists, and two steals.
In the aftermath of the trade deadline, the new-look Nets will be without both of their team’s leading scorers from the early season, with Kevin Durant (29.7 ppg) joining the Phoenix Suns and Kyrie Irving (27.1 ppg) joining the Dallas Mavericks ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
Returning to the Nets at the deadline was Spencer Dinwiddie, who had a strong showing in his first game back with the Nets Thursday - finishing with 25 points, five rebounds, six assists, and four steals in the Nets’ 116-105 win over Chicago.
As of Friday evening, incoming Nets Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson are both questionable for Saturday’s matchup (trade pending).
Nic Claxton (right hamstring tightness) is probable, while Seth Curry (left adductor strain) is out.
Saturday’s matchup is a 6:00 p.m. tip.
Friday’s Key Performances:
Joel Embiid
Tyrese Maxey
James Harden
Tobias Harris
Georges Niang
76ers vs. New York Knicks: Feb. 10, 2023
1 / 5PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 10: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at The Center on February 10, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
@Sixers Social:
Quote to Note:
Maxey on his defensive performance:
“I was messing with Melt [De’Anthony Melton], I said, ‘I’m De’Anthony Melton.’ It was great. I know coach Doc has been talking about it the last two games - about us as a team getting into the ball and just putting pressure on guys. I just want to try and go in there and cause that type of havoc and help defensively as much as I could.”
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