Jalen McDaniels

Matt Murphy

The 76ers (53-28), who produced an impressive 15-point comeback win in Atlanta on Friday with their top-six rotation players out of the lineup, conclude their regular season slate by visiting the Brooklyn Nets (45-36) on Sunday afternoon.

The Nets secured the No. 6 seed in the East on Friday, setting up a first-round playoff matchup with the No. 3 Sixers.

Brooklyn hosted Orlando on Friday and won, 101-84. In 26 games since being traded to the Nets from Phoenix, Mikal Bridges is averaging a team-best 27.2 points per game. The 26-year-old Philadelphia native scored a game-high 22 points against the Magic, despite shooting just 7-for-24 from the field and 1-for-12 from 3-point range.

The Sixers played their last game without five starters in James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, P.J. Tucker, and Joel Embiid, plus primary sixth-man De’Anthony Melton.

As of Saturday evening, the injury report for Sunday included all six of those players as out once again, and Georges Niang (left knee soreness) as questionable. Nine Nets players appeared on the report: Seth Curry (out - left ankle soreness injury management), Dorian Finney-Smith (out - right wrist contusion injury management), Cameron Johnson (out - right knee soreness), Royce O’Neale (out - left knee soreness), Ben Simmons (out - back nerve impingement), Nic Claxton (questionable - rest), Spencer Dinwiddie (questionable - rest), Joe Harris (questionable - rest), Edmond Sumner (questionable - right hip contusion).

The regular season series between the Sixers and Nets favors Philadelphia, 3-0, with all three meetings decided by single digits. On Feb. 11 in Brooklyn, Embiid led all scorers with 37 points and 13 rebounds in a 101-98 victory. James Harden added 29 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Bridges led the Nets with 23 points.

The shorthanded Sixers got contributions across the roster in their road win over the Hawks last time out. In Friday’s 136-131 overtime victory, the Sixers received 24-point efforts from both Jalen McDaniels and Georges Niang to lead the team. Niang scored eight points (3-3 fg, 2-2 3fg) in the overtime period alone.

“At the beginning, we came out and knew we were playing to win, not playing for stats,” McDaniels said. “We were playing to play the right way, and that's what we did. Came out, played hard, got stops, and executed with the guys we had. J-Spring [Jaden Springer], he just came back from the G League and fit right in... He did his thing. We were all locked in just having fun out there. Having fun and flying around.”

Springer and the Delaware Blue Coats clinched the NBA G League championship the night before, with the 20-year-old taking home the Finals MVP award. Joining the NBA club in Atlanta was a quick turnaround for Springer and his fellow Sixers teammates who played with the Blue Coats, two-way contract players Mac McClung (five points) and Louis King.

“It was good,” Springer said. “Going into the game, I didn't know what to expect. I just knew I was going to try and go out there, go hard, and compete. The results came out like I wanted them to. We got the dub and that's all that really matters.”

Those results included some clutch buckets for the second-year pro.

Springer tied the score twice in the final minute of regulation with a high-arcing swish from the right block and then a soaring putback dunk less than 30 seconds later. He also went head-to-head with two-time NBA All-Star Trae Young for much of the night, and stopped him on the final possession to force overtime.

“He was great, he was great defensively, stayed within his role,” 76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers said of Springer. “He did the little things. Ran a play down the stretch - that last play - for him to slip to get to the bucket. That's why the guys on the bench went nuts, because we ran a play for [Springer] and he executed it. He did a couple of things like that all game, so I was really proud of him. Loved that he pulled up twice for 3 with confidence, because that's his next step. Defensively, I'm just going to keep saying it, he's an NBA defender. He makes plays, he rebounds the ball, he does a lot of little things.”

“I told our coaches 'I don't know if we can win this game or not, but this is an important game for our role players,'” Rivers added. “To come out and prove that they're good basketball players, and start feeling good. Going into the playoffs, wins like this are huge for you.”

Sunday’s contest is a 1 p.m. ET afternoon tipoff in Brooklyn.

All five starters (Milton, Springer, Niang, McDaniels, Reed) – and seven Sixers total – scored in double figures. The team is now 18-1 in games with at least six double-digit scorers.

Jaden Springer details his busy couple of days helping lead the Blue Coats to their G League title before joining the 76ers in Atlanta:

“[On Thursday], we played in Texas, so Central Time. Got over with the game around 11 [p.m.], got back to the hotel at 12 [a.m.]. Had to be up at 4:50 to head to the airport. Got on the plane - couple of flights - got here around 11:30/12, took a nap and got [to the arena] for shootaround at about 5, and got ready for this game.”

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76ers Visit Brooklyn Nets for Regular Season Finale | Gameday Report 82/82

The 76ers (49-26) return home to face the Dallas Mavericks (37-39) in their next game, following four straight on the road during a stretch that saw them play 12 of their first 15 games this month away from home.

The Mavericks, currently in the midst of a five-game road swing themselves, snapped a four-game losing streak on Monday at Indiana. Through Monday’s slate of games, Dallas was on the outside looking in for the Play-In Tournament in the West, which includes the conference’s top 10 teams.

Luka Dončić tallied 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal in 28 minutes during the Mavericks’ recent 127-104 victory over the Pacers. Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid remains in front of Dončić in the race for the NBA scoring title, 33.3 points per game compared to 32.9 points per game. Dallas’ 24-year-old All-Star also averages a team-high 8.6 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest.

Kyrie Irving, meanwhile, holds averages of 26.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in 16 games as a Maverick. Dallas has a losing record, 7-9, in those games.

Neither Embiid (right calf tightness) nor James Harden (left achilles soreness) suited up for the Sixers in a loss at Denver on Monday. The Tuesday evening injury report listed both players as questionable, in addition to the following Mavericks: Maxi Kleber (questionable - right hamstring injury recovery) and Frank Ntilikina (questionable - right knee sprain).

Back on March 2, the second half of an unusual Miami-Dallas road back-to-back for the Sixers, the Mavericks took the opening meeting between the two clubs by a 133-126 count. Dončić (42 points) and Irving (40 points) combined for 82 of those 133 points, and the Mavs drained a season-high 25 3-pointers on 48 attempts (.521).

The Sixers – even without Embiid and Harden – nearly overcame a 22-point deficit in their last outing, falling 116-111 to the Nuggets on Monday in Denver.

“I feel like we fought,” said Tyrese Maxey, who led all scorers with 29 points. “That group at the end, they fought their tails off to get back in it. I think what we can take from this is – in the first half, we were in the game big time. [Another] thing we can take from this is how deep we are. Guys like [Danuel] House, who hasn't played in a couple games, come in and contribute. P [Paul] Reed had a hell of a game. De'Anthony [Melton] started. The list goes on and on.”

Maxey’s 20 second-quarter points are the most he’s ever scored in a single period in his career.

The 76ers bench netted 59 points, and the team ended the game on a 20-6 run.

“I think that after we got adjusted after the first seven or eight minutes of the game, other than that I thought we played well,” 76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers said. “Overall, I’m very proud of my guys though, they kept fighting.”

Wednesday is a 7:30 p.m. ET start in South Philadelphia.

Paul Reed upon completing the long stretch of road games:

“It's definitely exciting to be able to go home back to our dogs. I know Tyrese has one, I have one. They're like our kids, so I'm looking forward to that. We are looking forward to it.”

Watch: ESPN, NBC Sports PhiladelphiaListen: 97.5 The Fanatic

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Game 76 for 76ers Brings in Dallas Mavericks | Gameday Report 76/82

To begin a Charlotte-Indiana back-to-back this weekend, the streaking 76ers (46-22 overall, 20-12 away) visit the Hornets (22-49) for some Friday night hoops. The Sixers recently extended their NBA-best winning streak to six games with a double-digit comeback over the Cavaliers, in Cleveland, on Wednesday.

Joel Embiid – who turned 29 years old on Thursday – teamed up with James Harden and Tyrese Maxey to combine for 87 points the night before his birthday.

The Cavaliers are the most recent opponent not only for the Sixers, but the Hornets as well.

Cleveland won a pair of games in Charlotte before falling to the Sixers at home.

The Hornets’ active leading scorer is Terry Rozier (21.5 PPG), with LaMelo Ball (23.3 PPG) sidelined for the remainder of the season following successful surgery to address a fracture in his right ankle.

Cody Martin (out - left knee soreness) and Mark Williams (out - right thumb sprain) joined their teammate Ball (out - right ankle surgery) on the Thursday evening injury report. Former Hornet Jalen McDaniels (questionable - right hip contusion) – acquired by the Sixers at the trade deadline – missed the previous game.

Friday is the third and final game of the season series between the two teams. Like the Cleveland series, the home team also won each of the previous two meetings in this matchup: Nov. 23 in Charlotte (107-101) and Dec. 11 in South Philadelphia (131-113).

In the December win, Embiid went off for 53 points (20-32 fg, 2-3 3fg, 11-11 ft) and 12 rebounds. Harden delivered 19 points and 16 assists, plus nine rebounds.

In the Sixers’ 118-109 win over the Cavaliers in their last game, Harden made franchise history by surpassing Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain and Maurice Cheeks with his 32nd point-assist double-double of the season.

Embiid posted his seventh straight 30-point game with a game-high 36 points.

“Keep winning games,” Embiid said of his focus. “Get better every single day. One game at a time. Like I said, try to get better every single day. Try to find ways to win, what works offensively, what works defensively. We're in a pretty good spot.”

“That's why he's one of the best bigs to ever play the game,” Harden said when asked about Embiid’s combination of power and finesse. “I don't think we've seen a big like him. He can handle the ball, he can shoot it, he can be powerful when he needs to be. I'm just glad he's on my team, that we're on the same team. Just trying to find ways every single game to make his job easier, our job easier, and he's doing a good job of leading us.”

Friday is a 7 p.m. ET tipoff in Charlotte.

“I don't think I'm at my best yet. I think I'm trending towards that. I think I've got a lot more to give. Defensively, I'm getting there. I'm getting back to myself. Usually, I take another step in the playoffs. The last couple games, that has been a huge focus for me, especially since the All-Star break. I've got a long way to go, but I’m getting better every single day.”

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Road-Tested 76ers Visit Charlotte Hornets Friday | Gameday Report 69/82

Lauren Rosen

The 76ers (42-22) will close their five-game road trip, playing their fifth game in seven days, Tuesday against the Timberwolves (34-32).

The Sixers are 3-1 on the road trip thus far, after most recently beating the Pacers, 147-143, Monday on the front end of their second back-to-back of the trip.

It was another night of stunning stat lines for Joel Embiid, who notched his 11th 40-plus point performance of the season, and James Harden, who recorded his second 20-plus assist game of the year (and in doing so, Harden became the first Sixer to ever share 20-plus assists in multiple games in the same season).&nbsp;

“It’s just crazy, the way he can pass - not even looking, no-looks, behind the back, everything.” Jalen McDaniels said of his developing chemistry with Harden. “He’s going to get it to you. If he can see you, you’re gonna get it. I feel like he did a great job of getting everybody involved tonight.”

In the absence of Tobias Harris (left calf contusion) and P.J. Tucker (back spasms) Monday, McDaniels and De’Anthony Melton started alongside Embiid, Harden, and Tyrese Maxey.

McDaniels capitalized on the opportunity, scoring 20 points - his highest scoring total in his Sixers tenure thus far - plus eight rebounds.

“He’s just active,” James Harden said of McDaniels postgame. “He can shoot the basketball, cut, he’s a really good finisher. He adds value to this team, and we’re happy to have him.”

“He’s been mad active,” Maxey said of McDaniels. “Him and Paul Reed in there together sometimes - they just cause so much havoc.”

The road trip closer in Minneapolis will be a family affair for McDaniels, facing off with his younger brother, Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels.

Tuesday’s meeting marks the second and final matchup between the Sixers and Timberwolves this season, after the Wolves took a 112-109 victory in Philadelphia on Nov. 19.

Anthony Edwards led the way for Minnesota in that win, recording 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists.&nbsp;

Edwards is the Timberwolves’ leading scorer this season, averaging 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game - good enough to earn his first All-Star selection earlier this year.

As of early Tuesday morning, Karl-Anthony Towns (right calf strain) and Jaylen Nowell (left knee tendinopathy) are out Tuesday, while Austin Rivers (neck soreness) is probable.

Tuesday’s matchup is a 7:30 p.m. ET tip.

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Road Trip Closes in Minnesota | Gameday Report 65/82

Joel Embiid called it a “big-time freaking win."

The 76ers (41-22) went into Milwaukee on Saturday night and pulled off an 18-point comeback against the Bucks (45-18), who were on an NBA season-best 16-game winning streak and held a 27-5 home record prior to tipoff.

Next, the Sixers continue their five-game road trip (2-1) by visiting the Indiana Pacers (29-36).

Embiid and James Harden each posted at least 30 points along with 10 assists in the 133-130 victory in Milwaukee. Harden led all scorers with a season-high 38 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter.

“Every game for us is a playoff game, literally,” Harden said postgame.

The Pacers enter the upcoming matchup following a dramatic win over their own. In the front end of a road-home back-to-back, they were in Chicago on Sunday afternoon and came away with a 125-122 win on a deep, game-winning 3-pointer from their All-Star Tyrese Haliburton.

Haliburton notched a 29-point, 11-assist double-double, and the Pacers’ bench came through with 57 points as a unit. Zach LaVine scored a game-high 42 points for the Bulls in defeat.

Aaron Nesmith (left hip soreness) and Kendall Brown (right tibia stress fracture) did not play for Indiana. Sixers Tobias Harris (left calf contusion) and P.J. Tucker (back spasms) were both listed as questionable on the injury report as of Sunday evening after leaving the Bucks game early.

The first two games of the season series between the Sixers and Pacers went to the former, the home team in South Philadelphia on both occasions (Oct. 24 and Jan. 4). Harden posted 29 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists in the first meeting, plus 26 points and eight assists in the second.

Jumping back to Saturday, the Bucks led the Sixers 99-85 after three quarters. Grayson Allen knocked down six 3-pointers for the home team in the third quarter alone.

The Sixers then scored 48 points in the final frame. Georges Niang delivered clutch three after clutch three in crunch time, going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc in the quarter. Harden and Embiid each swished improbable treys in the final minute-and-change.

“We just kind of hung in there,” 76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers said of the comeback. “I thought the second group tonight - in both stretches - in the second quarter, I thought they came in and gave us life and energy. And then in the fourth quarter, I thought that group saved the game for us. Jalen [McDaniels], Paul Reed, James [Harden], Shake [Milton], Georges [Niang].”

“I'm very comfortable in those situations,” said Harden. “Whether it's playmaking, whether it's scoring. I've been doing it for a long time. That's just me, out there, playing basketball. I put the work in. I work on it every single day at practice and the results show.”

Add Tyrese Maxey to a group with Harden and Embiid and the trio combined to score 95 points in the victory. Maxey himself has scored 105 points over the last four games.

“Tyrese is a bundle of energy,” said teammate Jalen McDaniels. “He's going to get downhill. He's going to hit his shots. And, you know, one thing I've noticed about him is he never loses confidence. He's just going to keep going.”

The Sixers will face another quick turnaround to close out their five-game road trip, traveling to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Monday’s game in Indiana is a 7 p.m. ET tipoff.

“There's highs, there's lows, and there's just – you're trying to make 40-percent of your [threes],” Niang said postgame. “I don't ever try to get too high. This game can drain some people. I just try to be me and show up and do what I do every day.”

Tyrese Maxey on his recent scoring stretch…

“Joel [Embiid] had a talk with me, talking about how I need to be aggressive. And that's what I go out there and do.”

Embiid on how Maxey responded to the conversation…

“Man, he's been great. I think he's – not necessarily learning, but I think he's trying to balance it out. I keep reminding him that being aggressive doesn't mean always shooting the ball... We need him to be that guy because we're going to need him in those positions. So, it's great. I mean, after I'm done playing basketball, I'm going to be a motivational speaker I guess.”

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Visiting the Indiana Pacers, 76ers Carry Momentum from Win Over Bucks | Gameday Report 64/82

With the All-Star break in the rearview mirror, the 76ers (38-19) are back at it, hosting the Memphis Grizzlies (35-22) Thursday.

“Guys are excited to be around each other,” Shake Milton said following Wednesday’s practice, the team’s first organized activity since the break.&nbsp;

“I think as a unit, we’re excited to get this season going again. Everybody has their eyes focused on the same goal.”

Before turning their attention to the road ahead, Milton and Georges Niang each remarked on new Sixer Mac McClung’s masterful performance at this weekend’s dunk contest.

“I got to see my new teammate, Mac McClung, win the dunk contest - it was awesome. He was electric. It was a lot of fun,” Niang said.

“That was crazy, man,” Milton said of McClung. “For him to come in and win it - Man, I wish I could get up there and do those types of things too. It was big time.”

“He definitely [saved the dunk contest],” Niang added. “I don’t care how humble he’s going to be - I’ll be arrogant for him. It should be mandatory that he’s in it every year.”

Thursday’s meeting with Memphis marks the second and final regular season matchup between the teams, after the Grizzlies won the first clash, 117-109, on Dec. 2 in Memphis.

Ja Morant led the way for the Grizzlies that night, finishing with 28 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. tallied 22 points, nine rebounds, a steal, and four blocks.

Joel Embiid was the Sixers’ leading scorer in Memphis, notching a 35-point, 11-rebound double-double, plus eight assists, a steal, and three blocks. Tobias Harris recorded a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double.

The Grizzlies hold the No. 2 spot in the West, but were 4-6 in their last 10 games before the break. The Sixers went 7-3 in their last 10.

Following Thursday’s contest, the Sixers will host the Celtics and Heat before heading out on the road for 12 of the following 15 games.

“It’s a gauntlet,” Niang said of the road ahead. “It’s going to be a grind. But it’s good preparation for us heading into the playoffs. I think our guys are well-rested from the All-Star break and ready to roll.”

“I feel like this team has the ability to adapt however we need to, so whatever’s thrown at us, we’ll be ready to go.”

Following the All-Star break, the Sixers hold the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference, 2.5 games behind the No. 2 Bucks (41-17), which trail the No. 1 Celtics (42-17) by 0.5 games.

Ahead of the final leg of the season, Embiid is second in the NBA in scoring (33.1 ppg). James Harden leads the league in assists (10.8 apg), and De’Anthony Melton is fourth in the NBA in steals (1.7 spg).

As a team, the Sixers lead the league in free throw percentage (83.0% FT), and are fourth in the NBA in 3-point percentage (38.4 3fg) and Net rating (4.0).

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76ers Begin Post-All-Star Play, Host Grizzlies Thursday | Gameday Report 58/82

The 76ers (37-19) have a shot at their fourth consecutive victory Wednesday in their final game before the All-Star break, hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers (38-22) in South Philadelphia.

Wednesday’s matchup comes on the heels of the Sixers’ 123-104 win over the Rockets, and a pair of wins over the Knicks Friday (119-108) and Nets Saturday (101-98).

New 76er Jalen McDaniels (8 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast) made his home debut Monday, and discussed his excitement to join this team postgame:

“The energy is just different. Everybody’s positive. We’re looking for the bigger picture, the playoff run, stuff like that. Guys are really locked in, so it’s serious, but we have fun.”

Doc Rivers praised McDaniels following his second outing as a Sixer:

“Today, I think he played the two, the three, the four. That’s one of the reasons we were so attracted to him - that ability to make shots. He loves playing hard, he’s just a hard player, and you can see that.”

Ahead of the All-Star Break, the Sixers hold the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference, a game ahead of the No. 4 Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers won the first meeting between the Sixers and Cavs on Nov. 30, 113-85. Following Wednesday’s contest, the third and final regular-season matchup between the teams will come March 15 in Cleveland.

The Sixers also announced the signings of nine-year NBA veteran Dewayne Dedmon and 24-year-old Mac McClung on Tuesday.

Ahead of the break, Joel Embiid is second in the NBA in scoring (33.2 ppg), and is fifth in the league in blocks (1.5 bpg). James Harden leads the league in assists (10.8 apg). De’Anthony Melton is fourth in the NBA in steals per game (1.8 spg).

As a team, the Sixers are second in the NBA in free throw percentage (82.8%) and fourth in the league in 3-point percentage (38.3%).

Wednesday’s matchup is a 7:30 p.m. ET tip.

“He’s athletic. He runs the floor, he defends, rebounds, shoots the ball well. It’s great to have a guy like him. He was great tonight, and I think we’re going to really need him moving forward.”

Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPNListen: 97.5 The Fanatic

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76ers Host Cleveland Cavaliers Ahead of All-Star Break | Gameday Report 57/82

After sweeping a home-road back-to-back over the Knicks and Nets, the 76ers (36-19) look to add another win to their 21-8 home record when they host the Houston Rockets (13-43) on Monday night.

The Rockets enter the matchup in the midst of a five-game losing skid. Their last two games were one-possession affairs, a 97-95 defeat in Miami on Friday and a 130-128 setback against Sacramento before that.&nbsp;

Jabari Smith Jr., the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, posted 22 points and eight rebounds against the Heat, while Jalen Green (No. 2 overall pick in 2021) leads Houston in scoring for the season at 21.8 points on just under 18 shots per game.

As of Sunday night, the injury report included Joel Embiid (questionable - left foot soreness) and Shake Milton (probable - left eye soreness) for Philadelphia. Kevin Porter Jr. of the Rockets is out with a left foot contusion.

This will be the second and final meeting between the two teams this season, with the Sixers seeking to avenge a 132-123 double overtime loss in Houston on Dec. 5. Green had 27 points for the home team despite an 0-for-7 shooting effort from 3-point range. Joel Embiid recorded a game-high 39 points, along with seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocked shots.

In their road win at the Nets on Saturday, the Sixers erased a double-digit deficit – 12 points late in the third quarter – for the second consecutive game.

The Sixers shot 29-for-30 (.967) from the free-throw line in Brooklyn, their second highest free-throw percentage of the season thus far. On Jan. 25 – also against the Nets – they went 35-for-36 (.972) from the line.

Trade deadline acquisition Jalen McDaniels played 16 minutes off the bench in his 76ers debut and contributed five points and four rebounds.

“He’s going to help us, he’s going to really help us,” 76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers said postgame. “His length, his rebounding. He’s going to be big for us. You can see it.”

With 0.9 seconds remaining, Brooklyn’s Spencer Dinwiddie made what would have been a game-tying 3-point shot from the midcourt logo, but the play was reviewed. The shot ultimately didn’t count, as the ball was still in Dinwiddie’s hand as the final buzzer sounded.

The Rockets, meanwhile, rank near or at the bottom of the NBA in various offensive categories this season, but their strong rebounding numbers stand out. They are first in both rebounding percentage (.530) and offensive rebounding percentage (.343), as well as third in second-chance points per game (16.8).

Monday is a 7 p.m. start in South Philadelphia.

James Harden on the visit to Brooklyn as an opposing player:

“Coming back here, it’s a game. We’re trying to win the game. I don’t get caught up in homecomings or all of the outside distractions. Our focus was to come in here and win the game, and we did a good job of that.”

Watch: NBC Sports PhiladelphiaListen: 97.5 The Fanatic

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76ers Welcome Houston Rockets to South Philadelphia | Gameday Report 56/82

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