By: Kylan Watson
Coming off a trap game, the Philadelphia 76ers were desperate to get a statement victory. As they faced the number one team in the Western Conference the Los Angeles Lakers. It took a lot of fire power, but Philly was able to get the statement victory they needed as they beat the Lakers in a thriller 107-106.
It looked good early for Philly as they were able to jump on LA and get out to a 16-point lead. That run happen thanks to a returning Joel Embiid. Who put his staple on the game early, and the Lakers had no answer for him. He scored 16 of his 28-points by half-time. He had another big-time MVP like performance.
Embiid was not the only one as Ben Simmons also made his mark on the game. He got his 31st career triple double. He was able to find his teammates and get forward LeBron Hames in early foul trouble. Simmons was also able to use his playmaking ability to get Philly’s shooters involved as well. His performance kept the Lakers on their heels.
On Simmons’ performance, ““[Ben’s] brilliance – sometimes – is missed by a lot of people,” said Head Coach Doc Rivers.
Even with Embiid and Simmons putting their mark on the games. The Lakers showed their championship metal. They were able to erase the 16-point lead Philly had, and take a one-point lead. This run was powered by their duo James and forward/center Anthony Davis. They combined for 57 of LA’s 106-points. Davis hit a late lay-up to put them in front.
The Lakers were able to take away Embiid and force the Sixers to find somebody else to beat them. When they needed someone to step-up. Enter forward Tobias Harris who hit the game-winning shot over the outstretch arms of an LA defender. To put the Sixers ahead and give LA their first loss of the season on the road.
On the impressive victory, “We’re really good. But we still have a lot of work to do,” said Rivers.
This victory was the statement victory they needed, and these teams seem desperate to meet for a championship. If that does happen that potential series may go seven games. Philly continues to blow through a lot of benchmarks in this young season.
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