Ben Simmons had 24 points (18 in the paint) and 11 assists, and the Philadelphia 76ers went on a 15-4 run in the third quarter to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 116-109 for their fifth straight win.
The Pelicans had gone on a 21-8 run to lead 71-70 when Tobias Harris’ corner 3-pointer put the 76ers ahead for good with 5:39 left in the third quarter. He scored 7 points as they pulled away to an 85-75 lead with 2:23 left in the quarter.
The Pelicans got within 112-109 on Jrue Holiday’s 2 free throws with 21 seconds to play, but Joel Embiid answered with 2 free throws, and the Pelicans got no closer.
During clutch time, the 76ers outscored the Pelicans 8-3. Embiid scored 4 of the 76ers’ 8 at the line, 4 for 5.
Harris scored 31 points on 12 for 20 shooting, and Embiid added 24 points and 11 rebounds. The 76ers had 3 20-point scorers.
For the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram scored 32 points (17 in the fourth quarter), and JJ Redick added 19 points. Ingram scored 17 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter.
The 76ers shot 49.4% from the field to the Pelicans’ 43.2%. The Pelicans forced 11 turnovers, about 4 fewer than usual for this many possessions. Ingram and Josh Hart fouled out.