76ers at Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks head into Saturday’s home game against the Philadelphia 76ers winners of six of their first eight games, and the play of their bench is a big reason behind the early-season success. The quartet of Thabo Sefolosha, Mike Muscala, Tim Hardaway Jr. and rookie Malcolm Delaney have complimented the Hawks’ starting five, and helped fuel victories this week over Eastern Conference powers Cleveland and Chicago.
“When you go deep into a season, especially in a deep conference, playing against top teams like this every night, you need a number of players to help contribute,” Delaney told reporters Thursday, after scoring 10 points in Wednesday’s 115-107 victory over the Bulls. Philadelphia – which started last season 0-18 and dropped its first 17 games two seasons ago – earned its first victory of 2016-17 on Friday with a 109-105 overtime triumph against Indiana. Rookie center Joel Embiid has emerged as a bright spot after being sidelined for two seasons with a foot injury, averaging 18.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in his first six NBA contests. Philadelphia snapped a 44-game losing streak in games played in October and November.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TCN Philadelphia, FSN Southeast (Atlanta)
ABOUT THE 76ERS (1-7): Even with top overall draft pick Ben Simmons sidelined with a foot injury, Philadelphia has showed promise with Embiid and veteran Ersan Ilyasova (13 points per game in five outings with the 76ers). Embiid scored a career-best 25 points in 26 minutes Friday, shooting 12-of-14 from the free-throw line as Philadelphia finished the night 26-of-31 from the stripe. Philadelphia’s bench sparked its first victory of the season as both Ilyasova and Nik Stauskas scored 14 points in reserve roles.
ABOUT THE HAWKS (6-2): Muscala is among the league leaders in field-goal percentage (66 percent), Sefolosha ranks in the top 10 in steals and field-goal percentage, and Hardaway Jr. has provided solid play in the backcourt. Dennis Schroder is averaging 16.4 points and six assists in his first season as the Hawks’ No. 1 point guard. The addition of Dwight Howard – among the best in the NBA in rebounding at 12.6 – has ignited Atlanta’s efforts on the glass as it averages four more boards per contest than last season while outrebounding opponents 46.1 to 39.5.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Hawks thrashed Philadelphia 104-72 on Oct. 29 in Philadelphia, getting 51 points from their bench while holding the 76ers to 35 percent shooting from the field.
2. Atlanta is 3-0 when Howard and Paul Millsap each record a double-double in the same contest.
3. Philadelphia C Jahlil Okafor did not score Friday, after recording 14 points per game in his previous four contests.