Joel Embiid in MVP mode on a special night for the Sixers

Philadelphia dreamed it, the Sixers made it! At the end of a day marked by the suspension of Paul George for the next 25 games, the calendar reserved a very special night for the regulars of the Xfinity Mobile Arena, with a new recognition for the team that won the conference finals 25 years ago.

To mark the occasion, Joel Embiid delivered a new performance with 40 points and 11 rebounds and allowed his team to win 124-114 against the courageous Pelicans, led by Sadiq Bey (34 points).

And New Orleans kept the home team high until the middle of the second quarter, when Trendon Watford’s triples and Jared McCain’s doubles perfectly accompanied the rise of Joel Embiid, the great architect of the 10-2 pass before the break in the company of Kelly Oubre (67-52). The latter continued with a bang by stringing together two 3-point baskets after the break, but New Orleans also showed its ambitions, getting back to within two possessions at the end of the third quarter thanks to the breathtaking Bay-Murphy tandem (87-81).

The pressure on Philly grew until the beginning of “money-time”, and the tension also, as when Nick Nurse got out of control, admitting a technical foul that allowed the Pelicans to go back to -2 (98-96). Jose Alvarado’s brilliant 3-pointer and Sadiq Bey’s goal kept the suspense going until the money time, started by a street between Alvarado and Yves Misi (107-109).

It then took all of VJ Edgecombe’s “lay time” and Joel Embiid’s mid-range efficiency to bring a semblance of serenity to the congregation. Dominique Barlow’s dunk in transition got Philly back on track, then Joel Embiid, Tirese McKay and VJ Edgecombe took turns to seal the victory in less than 60 seconds (123-113). At least it was necessary for the “elders” to be celebrated in their true worth.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– A lesson from Joel Embiid to Derrick Quinn. The rookie from the Pelicans caused problems for the Sixers early in the match with his quickness and good reading of the game. But the experience, guile and efficiency of Joel Embiid did the rest. The Sixers pivot had already distanced himself by finishing the first half with 23 points and confirmed his current good form by finishing strong to give Philly the win. 40 points is easily his best offensive game of the season…

– VJ Edgecombe, peak on the feet. The best artistic grade still goes to the Sixers rookie, who once again delighted his fans! Between his masterful dunk in the first half, his behind-the-back pass for a 3-pointer by Kelly Oubre, then his 2+1 in front of Trey Murphy III in the third quarter and his acrobatic layup at the very end of the game, the Bahamian guard once again combined art and manner with perfection.

– Sadiq Bey gave everything. Arriving at the Pelicans in a complicated context, the winger averaged nearly 20 points during January and continues to confirm his good form with this brilliant 34-point performance last night on 12/19 shooting. Almost enough to make these Sixers wince. Unfortunately for him, the rest of the team was not up to the mark, Zion Williamson is in the lead (11 points).

– Allen Iverson runs the show. A good part of the team from the 2000/01 season was honored at halftime of the match, from Allen Iverson to Eric Snow via Kevin Ollie and Jumaine Jones, not forgetting the hip hop mascot, or the then president Pat Croce, all of which were introduced by the then announcer Mark Zumoff. The late Dikembe Mutombo, on his part, was represented by his daughter and his wife. Along with Mutombo’s family, AI received the biggest ovation from the crowd and didn’t fail to put on a show before all these beautiful people gathered at center field to take a photo with the 2001 conference championship trophy.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.