With 10 games left, the Philadelphia 76ers(40-33) got some much-needed reinforcement back when Joel Embiid and Paul George returned against the Chicago Bulls(29-43) on Wednesday night, and they both put up big numbers.
Embiid had 23 of his 35 points in the first half, along with six rebounds and seven assists, and George had 28 points, six rebounds, and four steals, and VJ Edgecombe added 22 points, six rebounds, and six assists as the 76ers defeated the Bulls 157-137 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The 76ers, who had five players in double figures, led by as many as 47 points against the Bulls; they led by 19 at halftime, and after scoring 51 points in the quarter, they led by 36 points heading into the fourth quarter; the 157 points are the most points they have had in over 50 years.
However, the real story was the return of Embiid, who missed 13 straight games due to an oblique injury, and George, who returned after he was suspended for 25 games for violating the league’s Anti-Drug Program.
The two combined for 63 points, which is the most points they have had together.
If the 76ers want to be a factor in the playoffs, they are going to need Embiid and George. After the win, 76ers coach Nick Nurse was happy with what he saw from the team on offense.
“Obviously, he(Embiid) started with a great rhythm,” Nurse said. “I was happy the ball was moving… I thought we, as a team, played great offense… I like VJ’s(Edgecombe) aggressiveness tonight; I thought he got in the paint and made some nice jump shots.”
The 76ers, who are the seventh seed in the East, are a game behind the Hawks for the sixth spot and a game ahead of the eighth-seeded Miami Heat. They will also be getting Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre back at some point, so things could be looking up for this team.
The next few games will be big for the 76ers. They have to go on the road for the next three games, which includes games against the Hornets and Heat, two teams vying for playoff positioning. Those games won’t be easy, but with Embiid and George on the court, there’s hope.
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