PHILADELPHIA 76ERS-DENVER NUGGETS 126-119 | THE TABLE
Harden, Melton, Harris, Tucker ed Embiid on the one hand, Caldwell-Pope, Murray, Porter Jr., Gordon e Jokic on the other: they’re all in the challenge facing the second and third best team in the NBA at the moment. And I’m all by Embiid the first 6 points of the Sixerswith downtown Philadelphia attacking with every Jokic possession. The Nuggets are off to a better starthowever, also thanks to the three triples in the first minutes of Michael Porter Jr., while the Sixers rely on Tyrese Maxey not to sink. However, there are 38 points in the first quarter alone Denver (+9 on first mini rest) and the duel Embiid-Jokic does not disappoint: 14 points on 2/2 from three for the first, 9 with 3 rebounds and 3 assists for the second. Embiid on the field and Jokic sitting at the beginning of the second quarter and then the 76ers take the opportunity to come back up to -2. The reigning MVP is back (and the Philly center goes on the bench) and they are 7 of his points in a row to widen the gap for the Colorado team which also climbs into double figures (+13 two minutes from the break). Philadelphia struggles to contain Denver’s attack (66% from the field, 59% from threes) who scores 73 in the first half alone and then we go to rest on +15 with 16 points Jokic (with 5 assists and 4 rebounds) and 12 with 4/5 from three by Porter Jr. on the one hand and 19 with 11 rebounds by Embiid and 14 with 3/3 from the arc of Harden on the other.
The story of the second half
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The third quarter opens with a partial of 15-4 for the hosts mainly inspired by another 6 points from Embiid and some plays from Harden, which bring Phila back into contact. Denver however it seems to be able to manage the “elastic” of the advantage, which extend to double digits taking advantage of a few too many errors from Philadelphia. They need it then 6 consecutive points from Embiid to close the third period to put the Sixers back on track: at the last stop it’s only 99-96 Nuggets, who struggle to contain the center of Philly, already at 35 points and 17 rebounds. With the two leading Embiid above 40, the Sixers put their heads forward when entering the last 5 minutes of the game and the final game only consecrates the downtown Philadelphiawho perhaps wants to send a message to the incumbent (double) MVP and closes with 47 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. The Sixers win, for the seventh time in a row, thanks also to the double-double by Harden (13 assists, with 17 points) while Denver calls Porter Jr. (20) and Murray (22) touch the fan together with Jokic (24, 9 assists and 8 rebounds for him) but comes out defeated by Philadelphia.
