Snapshot:
The Seventy Sixers (20-7) may have been short on rest, but they had enough to continue their winning ways.
The night after a signature early-season performance, the club found itself right back on the hardwood, this time in South Philadelphia.
The Sixers' next opponent, the New Orleans Pelicans (6-20), ultimately became their next victim, 116-109.
With the victory, the Sixers matched a season-high with their fifth straight win. They also kept their unbeaten home record in tact, improving to 14-0 at The Center.
The Sixers led by as much as 16 points early on, thanks to bursting for 39 points in their highest-scoring first quarter of the season.
New Orleans tightened the gap down the stretch, but the Sixers closed the contest 11 for 14 from the foul line in the final 1:45 of regulation to prevail.
Yes, many of the usual suspects were integral to the Sixers' latest triumph. Tobias Harris, for instance, put his increasingly pure stroke on display throughout the evening, finishing with a team-best 31 points - his second 30-point game of the year.
The veteran wingman nailed 12 of his 20 shots, and was one of three starters to pass the 20-point plateau. He scored five points during a pivotal 11-2 third-quarter run that put the Sixers in front for good.
Ben Simmons (24 pts, 11 ast, 3 stl, 2 blk) delivered a strong showing, as did Joel Embiid (24 pts, 11 reb, 5 ast). Several reserves, however, were also instrumental in helping the Sixers get by.
Making his third regular season appearance, feisty big man Norvel Pelle provided a nice spark, especially in the absence of Al Horford (left knee, left hamstring). The two-way contract player registered two of his three blocks in his first three minutes of action, while adding six points (3-4 fg) and five boards as well.
Representing a theme that's becoming more and more customary, James Ennis III seemed to make timely plays at important moments. He netted 10 points off the bench, and was plus-6 in 14 minutes.
With the Miami Heat's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Friday at American Airlines Arena, the Seventy Sixers are now the lone undefeated home team left in the NBA. They're also the third squad in the league to reach 20 Ws.
Click here for a complete box score.
@Sixers Social:
Norvel Pelle, punisher of the rim.
Up Next:
The 76ers make the quick trip to Brooklyn Sunday for a battle with the Nets.