With Joel Embiid missing his second straight game due to knee soreness, the Philadelphia 76ers hosted the Portland Trail Blazers for a Saturday matinee. The first half was largely positive, with the Sixers hanging around behind strong performances from Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris.
The Sixers’ star power was enough in the first half. Jimmy Butler scored the game’s first four points before giving way to Ben Simmons, who racked up 10 points and five assists in the first two frames. The latter also mixed up his shot profile, attempting some jumpers and a floater early on.