Warriors come back from an 11-point deficit to defeat Embiid and the 76ers 120-112
SAN FRANCISCO – During Golden State’s championship run last season, Jordan Poole emerged as one of the team’s most dependable players.
He looked like that go-to guy again Friday night, when the Warriors needed everything he had, with Draymond Green doing his thing as well.
“Opportunity,” Poole said of his outstanding fourth-quarter performance in which he played all 12 minutes.
Poole scored 33 points and swished a key 3-pointer with 1:18 remaining off a nice pass from Green, and the Golden State Warriors rallied past Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers 120-112 on Friday night.
“Something about tonight reminded me of last year’s playoff run when Jordan was just attacking and knocking down shots but also getting to the line and just giving us an entirely different dimension offensively,” coach Steve Kerr said. “That’s when he’s at his most effective.” He also competed well defensively down the stretch, in my opinion. He was fantastic tonight.”
Embiid returned to the game with 8:26 remaining and scored 13 straight points on his way to 46 points, but the Warriors rallied from an 11-point deficit to win their ninth straight home game — and one of the most important yet as they battle for playoff positioning.
“Nobody wants to be in that play-in; the play-in is dangerous,” Green said.
With 2:20 remaining, Curry dribbled the baseline and around Embiid for the game-winning jumper. With 5:05 remaining, Klay Thompson tied it at 104, only for Embiid to drive straight down the key for a dunk. He also missed consecutive shots in overtime.
Poole’s driving dunk with 8:27 left cut the Golden State lead to 93-91, and Kevon Looney’s putback after Embiid blocked Poole’s layup attempt cut it to 102-101.
Embiid finished with a 13-for-23 shooting percentage, 19-for-22 free throw percentage, nine rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. He contributed to Philadelphia’s 88-79 lead entering the fourth quarter. In Wednesday’s 116-91 win over Chicago, he had his streak of scoring 30 or more points in a franchise-record 10 straight games snapped, but he made up for it.
For the Sixers, who had won nine of ten and ten of twelve games, Golden State rival James Harden sat out with left Achilles soreness.
Thompson had 21 points and six rebounds, and Looney had six points, ten rebounds, and seven assists as the Warriors won 30 games at home for the sixth time since 2014-15, and the second time in a row.
“You want to take care of your home court as much as possible,” Poole said.
Green had 10 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds for Golden State, which was riding high after two straight road victories after an 11-game skid away from Chase Center.
“I’m feeling good. It’s that time of year when you have to crank up the volume on everything “Green stated. “This is my favourite time of year.”
Philadelphia made 10 of 17 shots to start the game but missed its first eight 3-point attempts before Georges Niang connected at the 8:06 mark of the second quarter.
GOLF TOURNAMENT
When visiting the Bay Area, Sixers coach Doc Rivers enjoys a round of golf. Given the recent extreme weather, he realises how fortunate he was to be able to golf this trip (he played at San Francisco Golf Club).
“I hear you had a little storm come in,” he joked.
TIP-INS
P.J. Tucker went 0 for 5 and was held scoreless for the 76ers. Rivers believes Harden will sit out Saturday’s back-to-back against the Suns, but he could return at Denver on Monday night after missing his second straight game and third in four. The Sixers have an 18-8 record against the Western Conference and a 7-5 record on the road. F-C Jalen McDaniels missed the game as well due to right hip soreness. He has missed the last two games and four of the last six.
G Warriors Gary Payton II, who has yet to play for the Warriors since being acquired at the trade deadline on February 12 due to right adductor rehabilitation, put in a strenuous pregame workout: “”Just another day of chopping wood,” he said. He is scheduled to practise on Saturday, which will determine whether or not he will play during this home stretch. “He’s progressing well, and I believe he could play on this homestand,” coach Steve Kerr said.
