By Peter Gleason
It may have been Nov. 16.
But the atmosphere at last night’s Sixers-Jazz game at the Wells made it feel more like May or June.
Which is when the deep playoffs runs are made.
Jimmy Butler scored 28 points, Joel Embiid had 23 and the Sixers beat the Utah Jazz 113-107.
The four-time All-Star acquired last week from Minnesota in a five-player trade, Butler got a loud ovation during introductions and quickly made an impression as the Sixers built a 16-point lead in the first quarter.
Fans serenaded him throughout the game and he got to hear the team’s “1-2-3 Sixers” theme song after the win.
“I already knew this crowd would be excited,” Butler said. “Now that I have them on my side it’s better for me. Y’all, we, have some great fans. Y’all have the catchiest song. I used to sing it in my head when I came in here.”
The Jazz rallied after a rough first quarter and the teams went back-and-forth in the fourth quarter. Jae Crowder’s put-back after Ricky Rubio’s stole the ball and missed a lay-up gave Utah a 107-105 lead with 1:37 left. JJ Redick tied it on a pair of free throws. Ben Simmons’ driving lay-up gave the 76ers a 109-107 lead.
Butler then hit a jumper to extend the lead and drew an offensive foul, sending the crowd into a frenzy as Hall of Famer Allen Iverson jumped up to celebrate from his courtside seat.
“The atmosphere was amazing,” Embiid said.
The 76ers are 29-1 in last 30 regular-season home games.
Redick had 16 points and Simmons had 10 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Embiid scored 12 of his points in the fourth quarter after he played less than a minute in the third because he had four fouls.
Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 31 points.
After the Jazz made the first basket, Butler scored on a reverse layup to begin a 12-0 run. He also nailed a 3-pointer during that stretch as Philadelphia dominated early.
But Utah closed to 54-52 at halftime following Derrick Favors’ alley-oop dunk.
Redick and Mike Muscala hit consecutive 3s early in the third quarter. However, the Jazz came back and went up 81-80 on Mitchell’s jumper late in the quarter.
