Every year, Martin Luther King Day is celebrated in the United States on the Monday closest to January 15, the American pastor’s birthdate. The opportunity for the NBA to offer its fans an evening full of matches, at advanced times, which allows Europeans to enjoy it more than the other days of the year.
An evening which began this Monday with a seemingly unbalanced opposition between the Philadelphia Sixers and the Houston Rockets, but which ultimately resulted in a rather disjointed meeting. Carried by Joel Embiid (41 points, 10 rebounds and 16 of 17 shots in 31 minutes of play), back after three games of absence – and only two outings recorded in his team’s 9 previous matches – Philly has the most often dominated his opponent, even having a lead of up to 28 points.
Better yet, Nick Nurse’s men even managed to dominate their subject despite Embiid’s exit for five fouls a little less than 4’46” from the end of the third quarter. Opposite, Turkish pivot Alperen Sengun struggled (19 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists).
Philadelphia consolidates its 3rd place in the East
But while the advantage at the start of the money-time seemed impossible to overcome (117-92), the Texans made a comeback which called on the locals to be more vigilant (122-110). In the end, Philadelphia won (124-115), consolidating its third place in the Eastern Conference (25v-13d), behind Milwaukee (28v-12d) and Boston (30v-9d).
Note that Nicolas Batum, who was part of Philadelphia’s starting five, accumulated 5 points (2 of 7 shooting) for 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 interceptions and 1 block in 28 minutes of play.