Joel Embiid scores 45, 76ers beat Pacers to pull even in Atlantic

Joel Embiid had 45 factors and 13 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers made a franchise-record 17 3-pointers within the first half of a 131-122 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night time that moved them right into a tie with Boston atop the Atlantic Division.

Embiid banked in a 3-pointer on the halftime buzzer and shot 18 for 30 total whereas shifting into the NBA scoring lead with 30.4 factors per sport. He had 27 factors and 7 rebounds within the first half, serving to Philadelphia take management with a 49-point second quarter that led to an 82-59 halftime lead.

Buddy Hield scored 25 factors and Tyrese Haliburton had 21 factors, eight rebounds and 5 assists for Indiana, which has misplaced a season-worst eight in a row.

The 76ers, in the meantime, continued to construct momentum for a playoff push that begins subsequent week — and maybe Embiid’s pitch as league MVP.

And so they did nothing to disappoint Tuesday.

Tyrese Maxey made a career-high eight 3s, seven within the first half, and had 30 factors for the 76ers. James Harden had 11 factors and 14 assists.

The Pacers by no means absolutely recovered from the Sixers’ blistering begin, although they did reduce the deficit to 111-106 with 9:19 left to play. However Philadelphia answered with a 10-3 run to place it away.

TIP-INS

76ers: Embiid posted his twelfth sport this season with 40 or extra factors and at the least 10 rebounds, essentially the most in a single season since Russell Westbrook did it 12 occasions in 2016-17. … DeAndre Jordan was ejected for a flagrant foul with 9:19 left within the sport. … Philadelphia misplaced its solely earlier assembly this season towards Indiana. The 2 groups meet for the third and last time this season Saturday.

Pacers: Indiana completed this season with a 16-25 document at house, its second straight sub-.500 mark after 31 straight seasons of posting successful data at house. … Fan favourite Lance Stephenson had 10 factors in what might be his last house sport in Indy. …

HE’S BACK

Pacers guard T.J. McConnell returned to motion Tuesday, marking his first look in a sport since Dec. 1. McConnell missed 54 video games with ligament harm in his proper wrist and made it again towards his former workforce.

“He needs to play, he needs to come back again, he needs to get that really feel and what it’s like taking part in along with his teammates earlier than the summer time,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle mentioned. “He’s labored actually exhausting and I believe it took him longer than anticipated.”

UP NEXT

76ers: Go to Toronto on Thursday earlier than closing out the common season with two house video games.

Pacers: Head to Philadelphia on Saturday.