----- Joel Embiid dominated action with 35 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 126-98 Sunday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
With James Harden watching in street-clothes from the 76ers bench, the reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid put on a show. He finished with a game-high 35 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists as Philadelphia hammered Portland 126-98 Sunday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Embiid's status for the home opener also was in doubt after an early morning arrival from Canada following Saturday night’s victory over the Raptors. The 76ers flirted with resting Embiid.
Unfortunately for Portland, he was in the linuep.
Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey gave plenty of support to Embiid as they combined for 50 points and 15 rebounds.
Shaedon Sharpe led Portland with 20 points and Malcom Brogdon added 18 points and five rebounds.
Scoot Henderson struggled again with early foul trouble. He finished with just four points and four turnovers on 2-of-7 shooting.
Portland (0-3) connected on just 38.3% of their field goals including an abysmal 7-of-31 from three-point range.
Philadelphia (2-1) put the game away in the third quarter outscoring Portland 33-21 taking an 18-point advantage into the fourth.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers will travel to Toronto to meet the Raptors on Monday afternoon. The game is scheduled to tip off at 4:30 PM.
Chad's Take- Keep giving big minutes to Scoot and Sharpe. This process will eventually produce fruit.