The Philadelphia 76ers added a more than necessary victory in their visit to Ball Arena. The Pennsylvania team had been unable to win since Joel Embiid had to withdraw from the team after entering the league’s security protocols, which had lost them five straight games and dropped quite a few places in the table. However, against the Nuggets the team managed to rebuild and prevail by 89-103, ending their losing streak and showing signs of improvement.
Those of Doc Rivers were led by Tyrese Maxey, who has taken advantage of this stretch of absences in the team to show that he can take on stripes. The sophomore he finished with 22 points after shooting with a 60% effectiveness, and was well supported by the 20 that Seth Curry added, who also added 5 rebounds. Tobias Harris, meanwhile, finished with 17 and 7 rebounds to his credit.
Who also stood out, although in a more unexpected way, was rookie Charles Bassey, whose appearances until now had been limited to inconsequential minutes but who had the opportunity in Denver to demonstrate his capabilities. The rookie undoubtedly starred in his best performance of the course, finishing with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks, and helped the visitors stop a Nikola Jokic who was doing them a lot of damage. The Serbian center added 27 points in the first half, but was only able to score 3 in the second, allowing the 76ers to break the crash and secure a comfortable victory.
In addition to his 30 goals, the Nuggets managed to capture 10 rebounds and distribute 7 assists, but his great numbers left a somewhat colder sensation due to his discreet second half. However, this did not prevent him from being clearly the best of his own, since only Will Barton, with 19 points and 8 assists, and Monte Morris, author of 11 points, reached the double digits.
Malone ended up expelled
Denver ended the game without its coach on the bench, as Mike Malone had to head to the locker room midway through the third quarter. The coach vehemently protested an alleged offensive foul by Seth Curry, who stuck out his arm to try to hook up with Jokic as he penetrated to the basket, and due to his insistence he was sanctioned with a double technique that cost him to leave early.
The action took place in a stretch of the game in which Philadelphia threatened to escape on the electronic. Those of Pennsylvania had managed to place themselves with a 61-70 in favor, and the partial of 4-15 that they signed after the expulsion of the coach allowed them to leave the match practically sentenced and live a rather relaxed last quarter.
(Portrait photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)
