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PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Joel Embiid is on a mission to win the title of most valuable player and defensive player of the year. If he maintains this pace, he will make it easier for voters.
Embiid had 31 points and 19 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 121-120 on Wednesday night after Anthony Davis missed the third of three free throws with 2.5 seconds to go.
Embiid reached at least 30 points and 15 rebounds for the 12th time of the season. He was frequently serenading with great songs of "music". M-V-P! M-V-P! & # 39; & # 39; From the rowdy crowd.
"If we win between 50 and 55 games and get those numbers, I think I have a good chance," said Embiid.
Davis had 12 points and 16 rebounds in a showdown between two of the NBA's biggest men. Davis averaged 27.6 points per game, just below 27.9 for Embiid. The center pelicans had just won an impressive 29 points in 9 rebounds in the 140-126 win over New Orleans on San Antonio Monday.
But like most players in the league this season, he was no match for Embiid.
"The reality of its importance to our team is ubiquitous," said Philadelphia coach Brett Brown. & # 39; & # 39; How can we all not notice how dominant he has been? & # 39; & # 39;
Embiid made his way with New Orleans, finishing 11th on 23 of the field and 7 out of 9 on the free throw line. He was also 2 of 4 from beyond the bow. With its strength and size inside, as well as its ability to shoot from the outside, Embiid has been almost impossible to protect this season. He has a double-double in 18 of 20 games in Philadelphia, leading the NBA.
"As stupid as it sounds, we did a really good job on him," said Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry. "It's a compliment from him to say we've done a good job."
The 76ers are 10-0 at home this season. They seemed in control, up nine points with just under two and a half minutes to play, before a late push of the Pelicans.
Embiid made a 3-point foul at Davis and Davis made the first two free throws before the third went in and out. Davis grabbed the rebound, but his wild attempt at winning shot was disappointing.
Ben Simmons added 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the 76ers, who won their fourth straight game. Philadelphia is the only undefeated home team in the NBA.
The pelicans had won three in a row and six of seven. E & # 39; Twaun Moore and Jrue Holiday led New Orleans with 30 points each, and Julius Randle with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
The 76ers were apparently in control when Wilson Chandler hit a 3-pointer to make it 119-110 with 2:24 left. But the three consecutive points of Moore and Nikola Mirotic led the Pelicans in 119-118 with 1:08 to go. J.J. Redick, who had a very cold night of shooting, scored 53.2 seconds to give Philadelphia three goals. Davis missed his shot on a 3, but Philadelphia's lead remained 121-118 after Simmons missed a 10-foot jumper to prepare the decisive run.
THE SOFTNESS OF THE HOME
The 76ers still have a long way to go to get closer to the 1985-86 Celtics, who hold the NBA regular season home record with 40-1. But Philadelphia is making his pitch a difficult place for his opponents.
"There is pride and we do not want to leave anyone here," said Simmons.
AS FAST ROTATES
Philadelphia played without guard Markelle Fultz. Choice # 1 2017 was on the bench, but not in uniform after his agent informed the team on Tuesday that Fultz would not train or play with the team before having consulted a specialist on his right shoulder. The Fultz representative's request came a day after the goaltender's go-ahead for T.J. McConnell in the second half of Philadelphia's 119-114 victory over the Suns on Monday.
Fultz only played 14 games last season because of an injury to the shoulder that could or could not have affected his shot, which has become one of the NBA's most thorough . The 20-year-old athlete averages 8.2 points and 3.1 assists in 23 minutes per game this season, making only 42% of the total.
TIP-INS
Pelicans: Davis reached 10,000 career points with a dunk late in the first half. … New Orleans has dropped to 2-7 on the road. The Pelicans will play their next two games away, at the Knicks Friday and Washington on Saturday. G Elfrid Payton was successfully operated on Tuesday on the little finger of his left hand, the team said. He is expected in six weeks.
76ers: Embiid blamed McConnell for missing a lay-up in the first half and McConnell replied, "So what? Redick, normally a sniper, missed his seven 3-point attempts.
FOLLOWING
Pelicans: At Knicks on Friday night.
76ers: Welcome Cleveland on Friday night.
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More NBA AP: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
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