Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid attempts a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves Rudy Gobert, right, and Karl-Anthony Towns during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 , in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid scored a season-high 51 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers used a big fourth quarter to close out the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 127-113 victory Wednesday night.
Tyrese Maxey scored 35 points while Philadelphia (19-8) won for the seventh time in eight games, rebounding well from a 108-104 loss to Chicago on Monday night.
“I felt like I was playing within the offense and not forcing anything,” said Embiid, who averaged 38.3 points in the last 12 games and scored 40 or more in four of his last five matches. “I took what I was given. And I tried to understand when to be aggressive and when to let my teammates do their job.
Joel Embiid dropped a record 51 PTS in the Sixers’ win over the Timberwolves‼️
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????12 CER
???? 68% FGThis is Joel Embiid’s third straight game with 40+ PTS and 10+ REB. Only Wilt Chamberlain has had such a streak in the history of the 76ers franchise! pic.twitter.com/HN59F6LxBZ
-NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2023
Minnesota (20-6) got 27 points from Anthony Edwards, 23 points from Karl-Anthony Towns and 21 from Jaden McDaniels. The Timberwolves entered Wednesday night as winners of nine of their last 10 games and owners of the best record in the league.
“We didn’t play a clean or pretty game,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “I thought we would find a run or a rhythm. Thirty-seven points (for Philadelphia) in the fourth quarter is way too many – we needed it to be under 30, that’s for sure.
It was Embiid’s seventh career game with at least 50 points. He also recorded his 12th straight game with 30 or more points and 10-plus rebounds. It’s the longest such streak in the NBA since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did it in 16 straight games for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 1971-72 season.
“We’re winning and that’s all that matters,” Embiid said. “The stats are great and it’s great to show stats. But if it comes with a loss, that’s a different story. If it comes with a victory, it means a lot.
“He continues to get better and he does just enough different things in rhythm to keep these guys guessing,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said. “He feels like if guys get into him, he can get them. And I like it when it goes down.
A game billed as a clash of defensive styles turned on the Sixers during an impressive display of offensive moves from Embiid in the third quarter. He scored 19 of Philadelphia’s 26 points in the period and kept the Sixers leading at 90-87 going into the fourth.
Embiid was 17 of 18 from the foul line that night, taking advantage of Minnesota forward Rudy Gobert’s foul trouble.
“Certainly Rudy leaving the game in the first four minutes definitely hurt us,” Finch said.
Maxey scored 15 points in the final quarter, most of which came during a five-minute stretch early in the period while Embiid was on the bench. No other Philadelphia player scored in double figures for the second straight game.
“You have to use speed and be decisive,” Maxey said. “I think if someone wants to take me up high (outside the arc), they won’t be able to keep up with me with speed, skill and work. I tried to be extremely aggressive.
Philadelphia ended up losing starting goaltender De’Anthony Melton in the second half to a left thigh contusion.
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FOLLOWING
Timberwolves: Return home for a Thursday night game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
76ers: Host Toronto Friday night.
