Indianapolis – Joel Mbid had 45 points and 13 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers set a franchise-record 17 3-pointers in the first half of Tuesday night’s 131-122 win over the Indiana pacers that took them to the Atlantic Division in a tie with Boston.
Embed bankers a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer and shoots 18 for 30 overall as they move toward the NBA scoring lead with 30.4 points per game. He had 27 points and seven rebounds in the first half, helping Philadelphia take control of the 49-point second quarter that took an 82-59 halftime lead.
Buddy Hild scored 25 points and Tyres Halliburton had 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists for Indiana, losing one season-worst eight in a row.
The 76ers, meanwhile, continue to build momentum for a playoff push starting next week – and possibly MBD’s pitch as a league MVP.
And they did nothing to disappoint Tuesday.
Tyrese Maxey had a career-high eight three seconds in the first half and had 30 points for the 76ers. James Harden had 11 points and 14 assists.
The pacers never fully recovered from the start of the Sixers push, although they were left to play 9:19 at deficit 111-106. But Philadelphia pushed it away with a 10-3 run.
Tip-INS
76ers: Embid posted his 12th game of the season with 40 or more points and at least 10 rebounds, the most in a single season since Russell Westbrook made it 12 times in 2016-17. … With 9:19 left in the game, Dandre Jordan was sent off for a foul. … Philadelphia has lost its only previous match against Indiana this season. The two teams are facing off for the third and final time this season on Saturday.
Fast bowler: Indiana finished the season with a 16-25 record at home, the second consecutive sub-500 mark after posting a record of 31 wins at home. … Fans’ favorite Lance Stephenson had 10 points on what could be his final home game in Indy. …
She’s back
Fast bowler TJ McConnell returned to action on Tuesday, marking his first appearance in a game since Dec. 1. McConnell missed 54 games due to a ligament damage to his right wrist and it was back against his former team.
“He wants to play, he wants to come back, he wants to get that feeling and what it feels like to play with his teammates before the summer,” said pacer coach Rick Carlyle. “He’s worked really hard and I think it took him longer than expected.”
Coming next
76ers: Go to Toronto on Thursday before finishing regular season with two home games.
Fast bowler: Going to Philadelphia on Saturday.