Joel Embiid had 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists and the Philadelphia 76ers won in their first game since trade James Hardendefeating the Toronto Raptors 114-99 on Thursday night.
Kelly Oubre Jr. and Tobias Harris each scored 23 points for the 76ers. Tyrese Maxey had 18.
Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 24 points and OG Anunoby had 16.
Toronto ended a three-game losing streak with a 130-111 home victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. The Raptors failed to capitalize on the victory and instead succeeded already two defeats this season at the 76ers.
The 76ers may need one or two more games before finally adjusting to a roster without Harden. They were used to playing without the 10-time All-Star — the 76ers went 2-1 without him — but coach Nick Nurse needs time to integrate the new additions.
Oubre’s ascension to the starting lineup in place of PJ Tucker, who was included in the Harden deal, left the Sixers with a thin bench. Marcus Morris and Nic Batum did not play in their first game since being dealt by the Clippers. Robert Covington and KJ Martin got points in the final 90 seconds with the game in hand.
Nurse has already faced challenges in his first season on the bench after five seasons in Toronto. He needed to learn about his players, teach his system and do it all while navigating Harden’s complicated game status.
After training camp and a month of practice, Nurse almost had to start from scratch.
“It would have been better a month ago, I know that,” he said before the match. “This is here and this is where we are.”
Nurse said the new 76ers would need additional work in practice and shooting — “as much as possible without overloading them — before earning significant playing time.
“They will be in extra study rooms here for a few days so we can get them up to speed,” the nurse said.
Nurse can teach, plan — yes, even deal with the media — without Harden’s availability being the constant theme of the day.
Led by NBA MVP Embiid and Maxey, the Sixers never played like they missed Harden. The Sixers averaged 119 points, shot 50 percent and had four players — Embiid, Maxey, Harris and Oubre — averaging at least 19 points through the first three games.
Of course, it always helps to have a backup.
The Sixers used nine players and took a 58-49 halftime lead thanks to big buckets from unexpected players.
Furkan Korkmaz, a forgotten Sixer in the playoff rotation, increased the lead with a dunk off a turnover and a 3 that brought out the crowd. When the 76ers faded a bit in the third, Korkmaz delivered with a basic inverted bucket and a free throw that pushed the lead to 90-77. He had 10 points and the 76ers named him player of the game.
FOLLOWING
Toronto: Play Sunday at San Antonio.
76ers: Host Phoenix on Saturday.
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