Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks over Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center on February 12, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP
Joel Embiid had 40 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals to lift the host Philadelphia 76ers over the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-93 on Saturday.
It was Embiid’s 23rd consecutive game with at least 25 points as well as the fourth triple-double of his career.
doesn't skip a beat. pic.twitter.com/pMAQtEzQfl
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 13, 2022
Embiid became the first Sixers player to produce at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968.
Tyrese Maxey added 16 points and Tobias Harris had 11. Matisse Thybulle grabbed a career-high six steals.
The Sixers played for the second consecutive game without newly acquired James Harden and Paul Millsap. They were added in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round draft picks.
Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 27 points, while Jarrett Allen added 13 and Cedi Osman had 12. Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert contributed 11 apiece.
The Cavaliers had their four-game winning streak snapped.
The Sixers pulled out to a 46-38 lead before Garland dropped in a 13-foot fadeaway and a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key, cutting the deficit to 46-43 with 4:17 left in the second quarter.
Moments later, Garland hit a 15-foot jumper and the Cavaliers closed within 51-49 with 2:13 to go.
The Sixers led 58-51 at halftime thanks in large part to Embiid’s 24 points, including a late thunderous dunk over Allen.
https://t.co/330Gk9Xdjr pic.twitter.com/9Hfy2j7Sj9
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 13, 2022
Garland kept the Cavaliers close with 20 on 9-of-14 shooting, one night after sitting out with a sore back.
Mobley completed a three-point play with 8:47 remaining in the third and Cleveland went ahead 62-60.
The Sixers tightened defensively and it translated to an offensive surge and a 76-67 advantage following Maxey’s trey with 2:39 left.
Philadelphia led 80-71 at the end of the third.
The Sixers came out aggressive in the fourth and took an 89-75 lead with 8:31 remaining after a 3-pointer from the corner by Furkan Korkmaz.
LeVert came back with a trey from the wing and a tough runner in the lane to close Cleveland within nine.
Embiid soon made a clutch 3-pointer and the Sixers led 94-82 with 5:51 remaining.
Embiid added a key three-point play and the Sixers cruised to the win.