By AnnieRoss
JJ Redick was two assists shy of his first NBA triple-double in 761 career games, finishing with 27 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as the Sixers, playing without Joel Embiid, beat the Charlotte Hornets 118-114 for their fifth straight victory.
“I didn’t realize it until T.J. (McConnell) came over at the 5:46 timeout and said, `Dude, you have nine rebounds and eight assists. But I will just be happy with a double-double. If you play long enough, 10 rebounds
Ben Simmons led the 76ers (46-25) with 28 points, Jimmy Butler added 23 points and nine assists, and Tobias Harris chipped in with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Redick finished with seven 3-pointers, one shy of his career high.
Jeremy Lamb led the Hornets with 26 points and 11 rebounds, but missed a floater that would have sent the game into overtime. Kemba Walker had 21 points for the Hornets (31-39), who have dropped four of their last five and continue to fall out of playoff contention.
The Hornets didn’t make it easy on the 76ers.
After a Butler missed a jumper with 33 seconds left, Harris grabbed a key offensive rebound leading to an open 3-pointer jumper in left corner for James Ennis. Lamb followed with three free throws at the other end, cutting the lead to one with 12.1 seconds left.
Harris made 1 of 2 free throws with 8.2 seconds left, giving the Hornets one last chance to tie or win the game before Lamb’s shot with 2 seconds left rimmed out. Harris then added two free throws for the final margin.
“We have to keep searching for answers and keep digging,” Hornets coach James Borrego said. “That’s all we can do. In the fourth quarter we were right there again, we just have to find a way to close out games and make shots down the stretch.”
Redick was the story of the first half, pouring in 21 points with five 3-pointers.
The Hornets were able to stay close, trailing 62-59 at the break despite Walker only playing six minutes after picking up three fouls in the first quarter. Charlotte’s bench was a big reason why, outscoring the 76ers 31-4 before intermission.
“We thought we got lucky with Kemba (Walker) getting three fouls in the first half, but we really did not create the separation that we had hoped,” 76ers coach Brett Brown said. “I give them credit, they fought like heck.”
for their fifth straight victory.
“I didn’t realize it until T.J. (McConnell) came over at the 5:46 timeout and said, `Dude, you have nine rebounds and eight assists. But I will just be happy with a double-double. If you play long enough, 10 rebounds will fall in your lap.”
