Embiid, Sixers OK after fall
PHILADELPHIA » Joel Embiid had 29 points and tied a career high with 16 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Los Angeles Clippers 112-98 on Saturday night for their third straight victory.
JJ Redick and T.J. McConnell each had 17 points for the 76ers, who were 10 of 17 (58.8 percent) from 3-point range in the first half and shot 55.1 percent overall to lead 6955 at halftime. Ben Simmons had 14 points, 10 assists and five rebounds.
The Sixers cooled off in the third, going 1 for 10 from 3, and committed five turnovers, allowing the Clippers to creep within six and enter the fourth down 85-78.
Los Angeles got within 95-93 with 5 minutes left, but a tough shot by McConnell in the paint and Redick’s 3-pointer were part on an 8-0 spurt that sealed it. The Sixers ended the game on a 17-5 run.
Former Sixers guard Lou Williams led the Clippers with 23 points, and Danilo Gallinari had 22.
PHILLY OR ... OKLAHOMA?
Before taking questions before the game, Doc Rivers announced he was making an opening statement.
“Walking around Philly, people are so happy now. It’s amazing,” Rivers said, referencing the city’s reaction to the Eagles’ first Super Bowl championship. “I’ve never seen this before. People said, ‘Good luck.’ I was like, ‘Wow, I’m in Oklahoma.’”
WELCOME BACK
Fans greeted Williams with a “Loooouuu!” chant when he first entered the game. Williams spent his first seven NBA seasons with the Sixers, who selected him in the second round of the 2005 draft.
Williams followed by hitting his first four shots, including a pair of 3s.