NBA: 76ers, minus Joel Embiid, rout Kings to stop 3-game slide
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Philadelphia 76ers’ Tobias Harris, left, dunks past Sacramento Kings’ Chris Duarte during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
PHILADELPHIA — Tobias Harris had 37 points and Tyrese Maxey added 21 as the Philadelphia 76ers snapped a three-game losing streak, beating the Sacramento Kings 112-93 on Friday night in the NBA.
Harris scored 14 points in the first period, his most in any quarter this season, and never slowed down. It was the most points he’s scored in a regular-season game in six seasons with Philadelphia, and his most since setting a career-high with 39 for the Los Angeles Clippers in December 2018 against Portland.
Playing without reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid, who missed his third straight game with left knee soreness, as well as rotation forwards Kelly Oubre Jr. (big toe soreness) and Robert Covington (left knee soreness), the 76ers needed contributions from other parts of their lineup.
Article continues after this advertisement37 PTS | 7 REB | 3 AST | 3 STL
.@tobias31 was HOOPIN' tonight.
V🌟TE: https://t.co/gI3jhXlKnL@PALottery pic.twitter.com/wTlG9dsXWC
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 13, 2024
They got it from Nicolas Batum, who scored 14 points on 5-for-5 shooting from the field. Filling in for Embiid at center, Paul Reed (eight points, seven rebounds) and Mo Bamba (11 points, four blocks) were also productive.
De’Aaron Fox had 21 points for Sacramento. Malik Monk and Keegan Murray each scored 15.
Article continues after this advertisementBoth teams shot under 40% in the first quarter, but the Sixers pulled away with a 29-12 surge in the second. Batum scored eight points in a minute, making three consecutive shots — the last two of which were 3-pointers. That stretched Philadelphia’s lead to 22, and the Kings never got closer than 12 again.
Kevin Heurter (right ankle sprain) missed the game for Sacramento.
NEXT SCHEDULE
Kings: Visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night.
76ers: Host the Houston Rockets on Monday afternoon.
