Joel Embiid returned from a five-game absence and scored 27 points, while Tyrese Maxey added 32, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 135-114 win over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night.
Embiid was efficient in his 26 minutes, hitting 11 of 17 shots and scoring 20 points in the first half. VJ Edgecombe contributed 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting as the 76ers shot 58% as a team and dominated the paint, 82-52. Maxey also pulled down nine rebounds to help Philadelphia hold a 44-41 rebounding edge.
Indiana was without leading scorer Pascal Siakam (left wrist sprain) and Aaron Nesmith (right ankle sprain). Andrew Nembhard and Micah Potter led the Pacers with 23 points each, Potter setting a career high, while Quenton Jackson had 15 points and rookie Kam Jones added a career-best 13. The Pacers shot 42% and committed 16 turnovers.
The Pacers jumped out to a 38-30 first-quarter lead, but Philadelphia responded with a 17-0 run to open the second quarter and take a 47-38 advantage. The 76ers shot 64% in the half and led 75-65 at halftime. Maxey scored 13 in the third as Philadelphia pulled away, taking a 106-85 lead into the fourth quarter and eventually leading by as many as 28 before emptying the bench.
Up next: The 76ers host the Miami Heat on Thursday, and the Pacers host the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday.
