The 76ers (25-15) will seek their 14th win in their last 17 games Thursday, hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder (18-23) in South Philadelphia.
Thursday’s game marks a rematch of New Year’s Eve in Oklahoma City, when the Sixers took home a 115-96 victory to close their four-game road trip.
Tobias Harris was the Sixers’ leading scorer in that victory, finishing with 23 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Joel Embiid notched a 16-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in 28 minutes.
The Thunder visit Philadelphia for the second stop on a four-game trip, most recently falling narrowly to the Miami Heat, 112-111, Tuesday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to lead Oklahoma City in scoring this season, averaging 30.8 points per game (4th in NBA).
The Sixers won Tuesday’s matchup in dominant fashion, scoring a season-high 147 points in their 147-116 win over the Detroit Pistons (11-33).
Six Sixers finished in double-figures for the eighth time this season - the team is undefeated when at least six players finish with 10-plus points.
Tuesday’s win marked just the seventh time this season that the Opening Night starting lineup of Embiid, Harris, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, and P.J. Tucker started together.
“Clearly, it’s a good offensive lineup,” Doc Rivers reflected postgame. “We know that, so if we can be a good defensive lineup as well with that lineup, that can be really good for us. Hopefully we can keep that going.”
No starter played more than 27 minutes (Harris) in Tuesday’s win, leaving opportunities for youngsters to thrive in the game’s final phases.
Jaden Springer came off the bench in the final frame to score a career-high 10 points, including six points in his first two minutes.
“I thought tonight he had a great game,” Harris said of Springer postgame. “I’m extremely proud of him. He’s gonna be a hell of a player in the NBA in my opinion, just because of his ability to defend. I’m always proud when he gets opportunities to get in the game and be able to play like he played tonight.”
“He was great,” Rivers said of Springer. “I think he’s going to be an elite defender. I really do.”
Springer appreciates his teammates and Rivers’ support.
“Being around guys like that every day… you see how great they are,” Springer said. “Doc’s been around the game for a long time, so to be able to hear words like that, it’s amazing.”
Thursday’s matchup is a 7:00 p.m. ET start.
Tuesday’s Key Performances:
Joel Embiid
James Harden
Tyrese Maxey
Tobias Harris
76ers vs. Detroit Pistons: Jan. 10, 2023
1 / 7PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 10: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against Alec Burks #5 of the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on January 10, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pistons 147-116.
Quote to Note:
Tobias Harris on Joel Embiid’s 36 points in 24 minutes:
“I thought he did great. I mean, you know, he’s been out, getting himself as healthy as he can be, but he just came out and he was his dominant self as he always is, and you know, obviously, 36 and 11 is a pretty good effort.”
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