Between James Harden and Philadelphia, the honeymoon continues. After a victorious start against Minnesota on Friday (133-102), “The Beard” made it big for his second game in the Sixers jersey. The former Brooklyn player scored a triple double (29 points, 10 rebounds, 16 assists) in Philadelphia’s victory over New York on Sunday afternoon (125-109).
As in Minnesota, the Harden-Joel Embiid duo shone. The Cameroonian pivot (37 points, 9 rebounds) took advantage of the presence of his new teammate to cause a multitude of faults and attempt 27 free throws, for 23 successful: his NBA record.
Opposite, Evan Fournier scored 24 points for the Knicks who have long hung on in front of their Madison Square Garden audience (91-89, 36th). But the French rear and his teammates concede a fifth defeat in a row and still stagnate in twelfth place in the Eastern Conference, four wins from Atlanta (10th), virtual last qualified for the play-in (damping round before the playoffs).
Philadelphia is third, trailing Miami and Chicago. Reinforced by the arrival of Harden, the Sixers will find New York on Wednesday, this time at home. The opportunity for “The Beard” to discover its new audience. The former regular season MVP will also be eagerly awaited on March 10 for the reception of Brooklyn and Ben Simmons, traded for Harden on February 10.
