NEW YORK – This was supposed to an easy game for the 76ers. One of those jump-out-to-a-sizable-lead, then-rest-your-starters and hope-no-one-gets-hurt type of games.
Yet, the Sixers found themselves trailing the by 13 points early in the third quarter to one of the NBA worst teams. Sparked by a 20-5 fourth-quarter run, they escaped with a 118-110 victory Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
Joel Embiid paced the Sixers (37-30) with 29 points and 10 rebounds. Nineteen of his points came in the first half. The all-star center had his left hand taped during Thursday morning’s shootaround and at the start of the game.