PHILADELPHIA – James Harden refused to make an all-star offer. After another standout game in a Philadelphia 76ers win where he fell a rebound behind a triple-double, Harden can sell his candidacy on his stats.
Joel Embiid had 28 points and 11 rebounds, Harden added 26 points and 10 assists and the 76ers defeated the Orlando Magic 105-94 on Wednesday night.
The NBA will reveal the 14 players on Thursday – seven from the Eastern Conference, seven more from the Western Conference – who were selected as reserves for the All-Star Game. The reserves are chosen by coaches who vote for players in their conference. Embiid figures are among the selected ones. Harden could be left out due to a crowded cluster of stars to the east.
“If my name is called, great,” Harden said. “If not, bigger and better goals for the season.”
The Sixers shared the home-and-home set with Orlando this week. The Magic stormed back from a 21-point deficit in the first quarter, beating the 76ers 119-109 Monday night. That loss ended the 76ers’ seven-game winning streak.
But despite uneven moments against a young, burgeoning Magic team, the Sixers stabilized late and improved to 20-8 at home.
“I didn’t think we played great,” said coach Doc Rivers. “But we played well enough to win. We take that.”
Embiid, the NBA leader, made all 10 of his free throws and totaled 9 of 17 shots to keep the Sixers within striking distance of the Eastern Conference leaders.
Harden, a 10-time All-Star, hit six of Philadelphia’s 14 3-pointers and grabbed nine rebounds.
“I’m not going to sit here and bring a case,” Harden said. “The numbers show it.”
Markelle Fultz led the Magic with 18 points. The Magic have been the most improved team in the league since a nine-game losing streak left them 5-20 in early December. They’ve been 15-12 since then, which included a six-game winning streak.
“I really think it’s a belief system,” said coach Jamahl Mosley. “To let them know that anything can happen on any night. If you play hard, you give yourself a chance.”
The Sixers used a 17-0 run in the first quarter to go into halftime with a 56-53 lead. The Sixers’ game with Embiid being called out again underscored Philadelphia’s need to find a reliable backup option for the big man. The Sixers were up-12 when Embiid played at halftime while Montrezl Harrell (down-6) and Paul Reed (down-3) struggled in limited action. With the trading close approaching next week, 76ers President Daryl Morey will certainly look to bolster the bench.
But don’t expect a seismic deal like the one at deadline last season when the Sixers took over Harden.
Rivers declined to discuss possible moves. But the third-year Sixers coach knows Philadelphia is where he has his best team yet — one that should be fighting for a championship.
“This team is better, better prepared for the playoffs, in my opinion,” Rivers said. “I think we have toughness. We’re not that young anymore. I think we have fewer holes. Every team has holes.”
TIP INS
Magic: Made 6 of 38 3-pointers.
“We couldn’t throw it in the ocean,” Mosley said.
76ers: De’Anthony Melton and Tyrese Maxey shot a combined 1 for 11 from the floor through three quarters. Maxey broke through midway through the fourth for a 3 to lead 93-83. … Harden had his 14th game this season with at least 20 points and 10 assists.
DOC AND BRADY
Rivers was still the Boston Celtics coach when he was first invited to be a guest speaker at a New England Patriots practice session. Rivers had a casual friendship with the now-retired Tom Brady at the time. They played golf together and Brady gave the Celtics a few words of encouragement. Rivers recalled the first time he spoke at a Patriots practice when Brady walked in with a notebook and pen and sat in the middle of the front row.
“Then Randy Moss walked in,” Rivers said, laughing. “He grabbed Randy. He had an empty seat that he wouldn’t let anyone sit in, and he grabbed Moss and said right here. It was amazing how much he wrote while I spoke. I wanted to see what he wrote. This guy is crazy. I don’t know what he wrote. But it was really impressive what kind of leadership he showed at this meeting. I thought it was really cool.”
NEXT
Magic: Play Friday night in Minnesota.
76ers: On Friday in San Antonio.
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