JJ Redick scores 34 points to lead Philadelphia 76ers to victory over Denver Nuggets
Saturday 9 February 2019 07:56, UK
JJ Redick scored 34 points to lift the host Philadelphia 76ers past the Denver Nuggets 117-110 on Friday night.
Redick's 11th career game with at least 30 points helped the Sixers win in their first game since making a blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Clippers before the Thursday trade deadline.
Jimmy Butler added 22 points and newly acquired Tobias Harris had 14. Joel Embiid had 15 points and 12 rebounds for his league-leading 45th double-double of the season.
The Sixers snapped a two-game skid on a night where they retired Moses Malone's No 2 jersey.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 27 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his 11th triple-double of the season. Jamal Murray added 23 points, but Denver dropped fell to their third loss in a row.
The Sixers closed the first quarter on a 7-0 run and led 33-23.
Newly acquired James Ennis III drained a three-pointer from the corner and the Sixers pulled ahead 50-34 with 5:48 left in the second. However, the Nuggets closed the half on a 22-6 spurt and the game was tied at 56.
Redick was red-hot in the third quarter, making his first six three-point tries. He finally missed on his seventh attempt late in the quarter.
The Nuggets led 83-82 after three quarters, and they led 95-93 with 7:48 remaining after Murray knocked down a deep trey from the top of the key.
Harris made a three-pointer from the wing and the Sixers pulled ahead 101-97 with 5:24 left.
The Nuggets scored the next four points with Jokic completing a steal and fastbreak lay-up to tie the game at 101.
Embiid later hit a tough lay-up, and Butler knocked down a pair of free throws to give the Sixers a decisive 109-103 edge with 2:21 left.
