By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After building a double-digit lead early in the first quarter, the Philadelphia 76ers went on to outscore the Indiana Pacers, 133-120, Friday.
In his latest dominant performance, Joel Embiid produced a 41-point, 20-rebound double-double alongside four assists, two steals, and one block. In double-double mode as well, James Harden paired 22 points with 14 assists. Turkish Furkan Korkmaz missed his only attempt in a six-minute showing at Wells Fargo Center.
The Sixers jumping to 50-31 locked the Toronto Raptors in the fifth seed of the Eastern Conference. Doc Rivers’ side can finish fourth and take on the Canadian franchise in the first round of the Playoffs or move up depending on Sunday’s Regular Season finale opposite the Detroit Pistons and results in other approaching fixtures of the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics.
Already knocked out of contention for a berth in the Playoffs, the visitors fell to 25-56. It was a special game for former Basketball Champions League sniper, Gabe York. The 28-year-old guard banked in seven points, two assists, one rebound, and one block lasting 15 minutes off the bench in his NBA debut.
Welcome to the League!
Gabe York knocks down the tough and-1 bucket for the first basket of his NBA career.
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T. J. McConnell went for 12 points, six assists, three rebounds, one steal, and one block in the reunion with his former Arizona teammate, York. Oshae Brissett and Tyrese Haliburton logged 20 and 19 points, respectively, in the losing effort. Europeans Goga Bitadze (sore right foot) and Ricky Rubio (left knee) were among the multiple players staying on the injury list.
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