De'Anthony Melton dribbles the ball Gameday Report 76ers Host Hornets

Sixers Host Hornets as Homestand Continues | Gameday Report 26/82

For the second matchup in their season-long seven-game homestand, the 76ers (13-12) will host the Charlotte Hornets (7-19) Sunday in South Philadelphia.

Sunday’s meeting marks a rematch of the Sixers’ Nov. 23 visit with the Hornets, a 107-101 shorthanded loss in Charlotte.

Shake Milton was the Sixers’ leading scorer in that matchup, finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, and two steals.

Terry Rozier led the way for Charlotte on Nov. 23, scoring 22 points of his own, as six hornets finished in double-figures.

The Sixers will be seeking their second consecutive victory Sunday, after beating the Los Angeles Lakers (10-15), 133-122, in overtime Friday.

Joel Embiid (38 pts) led the way for the Sixers in their win over the Lakers, in an evening that marked a career night for De’Anthony Melton - boasting career-highs in points (33), 3-pointers (8), and steals (7).

“On offense, my teammates were just finding me,” Melton said postgame. “They kept leaving me open, so I just kept shooting it and shooting it with confidence.”

“He was unbelievable,” Doc Rivers said of Melton.

Melton’s performance also garnered praise from one of the greatest to ever play:

“[Melton] made shots - a very good player,” LeBron James said postgame. “Good signing for them in the offseason. We were out contesting on a lot of his shots - he played extremely well.”

James finished with 23 points, four rebounds, six assists, and two steals Friday.

Tyrese Maxey (left foot fracture) remains out versus Charlotte. Georges Niang (right foot soreness) was out Friday, but has been upgraded to probable. Danuel House Jr. (left foot laceration) was also out Friday, and has been upgraded to questionable. 

For the Hornets, LaMelo Ball (left ankle sprain), Gordon Hayward (left shoulder scapula fracture), Cody Martin (left knee procedure), Dennis Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain), and Mark Williams (left ankle sprain) are out.

Sunday’s matchup tips at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Friday’s Key Performances:
Joel Embiid

    De’Anthony Melton

      James Harden

        @Sixers Social:

        Quote to Note:

        Doc Rivers on De’Anthony Melton’s two-way impact:

        “His shooting is elite especially from the break which is rare. I think it was 53 deflections that we had, but I know he had half of them. Literally he had half of our deflections in one basketball game. Joel [Embiid] and James [Harden] had a stretch. Tobias [Harris] had a stretch, but De'Anthony Melton was huge tonight for us.”

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