The Philadelphia 76ers are the top candidate to take over at least the third seed in the Eastern Conference with Victor Oladipo going down for the Indiana Pacers, and they showed every reason why they could do just that on Thursday night. Joel Embiid had 26 points and 20 rebounds, as the Sixers put an end to the Golden State Warriors' win streak at 11 in a row with a 113-104 victory at Oracle Arena. It is the Sixers' first win over the Sixers in nearly six years, as Ben Simmons also helped the cause with 26 points, and J.J. Redick chipped in 15 points on the road.
Philadelphia continued to pound the offensive glass on this day, grabbing 16 offensive rebounds in the win, which gives them 10 or more such boards in five consecutive games, and 11 of their past 15 games overall. Embiid once again led his team to a statement victory, and did so despite missing all five of his three-point attempts and turning the ball over eight times. He did record five assists and two steals for Philly, who has already leapfrogged the Pacers for the third-place spot in the East.
Steph Curry had 41 points and 10 three-pointers for the Warriors, who debuted DeMarcus Cousins on their home floor after he returned during their long road trip. Cousins had seven points, six rebounds and six assists in his first home game with his new team, but the Warriors' third quarter haunted them in the loss. The Sixers outscored the Warriors, 42-26, right out of halftime, and the Warriors could not rally in the fourth, despite getting the deficit down to six.
Kevin Durant connected on a big three-pointer with 4:52 to play, but the Warriors lost Draymond Green, who fouled out and received a technical foul on his way to the locker room, which shifted momentum back toward Philly. Durant finished with 25 points on 11-of-34 shooting, but he missed seven of his eight three-point attempts on the night.
The Warriors will stay home for another battle with LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, while the Sixers continue their west coast trip against the Sacramento Kings that same night.
Philadelphia continued to pound the offensive glass on this day, grabbing 16 offensive rebounds in the win, which gives them 10 or more such boards in five consecutive games, and 11 of their past 15 games overall. Embiid once again led his team to a statement victory, and did so despite missing all five of his three-point attempts and turning the ball over eight times. He did record five assists and two steals for Philly, who has already leapfrogged the Pacers for the third-place spot in the East.
Steph Curry had 41 points and 10 three-pointers for the Warriors, who debuted DeMarcus Cousins on their home floor after he returned during their long road trip. Cousins had seven points, six rebounds and six assists in his first home game with his new team, but the Warriors' third quarter haunted them in the loss. The Sixers outscored the Warriors, 42-26, right out of halftime, and the Warriors could not rally in the fourth, despite getting the deficit down to six.
Kevin Durant connected on a big three-pointer with 4:52 to play, but the Warriors lost Draymond Green, who fouled out and received a technical foul on his way to the locker room, which shifted momentum back toward Philly. Durant finished with 25 points on 11-of-34 shooting, but he missed seven of his eight three-point attempts on the night.
The Warriors will stay home for another battle with LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, while the Sixers continue their west coast trip against the Sacramento Kings that same night.
