Despite an MVP-caliber performance from Joel Embiid, the Warriors found a way to beat the Sixers.
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 120-112 on Friday night and improved to 39-36 this season. The Dubs are now just a half game behind the Clippers and Suns for the fifth and fourth seeds in the Western Conference.
76ers star center Joel Embiid was a force all night. Embiid fought his way through the Warriors’ undersized frontcourt and bullied his way inside throughout the game. He finished with 46 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists and caused a significant portion of his free throw line damage (19 to 22).
To make matters worse for the Dubs, Sixers forward Tobias Harris was hyper-efficient, going 10-on-12 from the field with 23 points. However, Philadelphia needed another scorer to match the Warriors. With James Harden out, Tyrese Maxey recorded 21 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, but no other Sixers player averaged more than 8 points.
While the Sixers dominated at the free throw line, the Warriors kept up behind the arc. The Warriors scored 30 more points than the 76ers over the course of the game from three points. And that’s with a relatively walkable 2-for-7 three-point shooting line for Steph Curry.
Jordan Poole led the charge for the Warriors, finishing with a team-high 33 points. In the fourth quarter, he scored 19 goals, including a game-changing corner three, to give the Warriors a five-point lead with less than 1:20 remaining on rule. Klay Thompson finished 6-of-13 of three with 21 points. While struggling behind the arc, Curry amassed 29 points and 8 rebounds and shot 8 for 11 from two-point range.
The ups and downs of Draymond Green were in full view on Friday. While missing all five of his three-point attempts, he scored 10 points on 5-for-11 shooting from the field. He made five turnovers but was also instrumental in setting up his teammates for easy shots and racking up 10 assists.
The Warriors have a day off before hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. The opening tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Pacific time.
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