Joel Embiid scored a season-high 39 points as the Philadelphia 76ers topped the visiting Indiana Pacers 115-105 on Friday night.
Playing in just his 10th game of the season, Embiid surpassed his previous high of 29 points while getting help from Paul George (season-high 23 points) and VJ Edgecombe (22 points). The Sixers played without leading scorer Tyrese Maxey (illness), who missed a game for the first time this season.
Quentin Grimes and Dominick Barlow added 10 points apiece for Philadelphia, which placed all five starters in double figures. The Sixers have won four of their last five games.
Indiana, which was aiming to win a third straight game for the first time this season, was led by Pascal Siakam’s 20 points. Andrew Nembhard contributed 18 points and seven assists for the Pacers, while former Sixer T.J. McConnell chipped in with 15 points off the bench.
The game was tied at 102-102 with under four minutes left when George found Barlow for the go-ahead layup. George had a driving layup of his own down the stretch, while Embiid knocked down a jumper shortly thereafter to help Philadelphia create some separation.
Indiana went cold down the stretch, while technical fouls on coach Rick Carlisle and Siakam didn’t help matters.
Edgecombe scored 14 first-quarter points to help Philadelphia take a three-point lead after 12 minutes. His 3-pointer gave the hosts their biggest first-quarter advantage at 19-10 before the visitors closed within 34-31 at the end of the quarter.
Neither team led by more than five points during a second quarter that ended with the Sixers ahead 63-58. Embiid scored 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the period.
Embiid had another strong performance in the third quarter, delivering 14 points — one more than the rest of his teammates combined. However, Nembhard nearly matched the former MVP shot for shot, as his 11-point quarter helped the Pacers draw even at 90-90 heading into the fourth.
Siakam’s floater put Indiana up 100-95 with about 8 1/2 minutes left before Edgecombe and Embiid helped Philadelphia tie it at 100.
–Field Level Media
