76ers defeat Pacers 129-126 in OT without Embiid

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — De’Anthony Melton hit a go-ahead 3-pointer late in overtime and James Harden scored 26 points to help a Philadelphia 76ers team playing without Joel Embiid beat the Indiana Pacers 129-126 on Wednesday night.

Melton led the Sixers 125-124 with just 2:16 remaining in OT. He finished the game with 19 points.

Montrezl Harrell then followed up with a rim-rattling, dunk and the Sixers won their 11th consecutive home victory. Harrell scored 19 points on an 8-for-9 shooting effort.

Embiid had been playing with a sore lower-back and sat out with a sore right foot. Embiid hurt his foot in Monday’s win against New Orleans and was ruled out hours before tipoff against Indiana.

Embiid’s MVP drive is a day-to-day affair. His only problem is missing games. Embiid won last season’s NBA scoring title, with a 33.5 average for this season. He is just behind Dallas star Luka Docic’s league-best 34.3 average.

He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for December. Embiid scored 35.4 points, leading all players on 55% shooting from three-point range and 42% from the floor.

Without Embiid, the Sixers needed more production off the bench — and got it, notably from backup center Harrell. Harrell scored 12 points and made all five baskets during the first half.

Buddy Hield led with 24 points for the Pacers, while Bennedict Maturin had 19.

The Pacers stormed back in the fourth, keyed by Hield’s 3 that pulled them within one and a Mathurin bucket on a goaltending call during a 10-0 run.

The Sixers pulled ahead on Melton’s fourth 3 of the game, but Hield hit a 3 and Myles Turner scored for a 120-116 lead.

Embiid was not available so the Sixers tied the game in regulation. Tobias Harris buckets and Tyrese Maxiey scored in the final 37 seconds. Harris scored 19 points. Maxey scored 17 points in his return from a six-week absence due to a broken foot.

TIP-INS

Pacers: T.J. McConnell, a former 76ers guard and Pittsburgher native, wore a Damar Hamelin jersey to the game. “I just wanted to show support for a fellow Pittsburgh native and athlete, and let him and his family know that all of us here are thinking of him and praying for him,” McConnell said.

76ers: Harden has scored at least 20 points in six consecutive games and has five assists. … Won the third OT of the season. Halftime lead led to an improvement of 15-1

UP NEXT

Pacers: Portland will host the team on Friday.

Chicago hosts the 76ers this Friday

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