Pelicans at 76ers
The Jimmy Butler era in Philadelphia is off to a strong start with wins in the last three games. The 76ers will try to make it four straight when they host a New Orleans Pelicans squad on Wednesday that averaged 131.3 points in winning their last three contests.
The Pelicans are winners of six of their last seven games as they prepare to kick off a three-game trip in Philadelphia and had four players score at least 21 points while handing out 34 assists in a 140-126 thrashing of the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. "When we play like that, unselfish, the open man gets the ball, playing for each other on both ends of the floor, we can beat anybody on any night," power forward Julius Randle, who recorded a triple-double with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in 25 minutes off the bench, told reporters. "We are all having fun playing, and obviously winning is fun." The 76ers are having fun playing as well and watched star center Joel Embiid go off for 33 points and 17 rebounds in a 119-114 win over Phoenix on Monday. "I love his spirit," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown told reporters of Embiid. "I really thought his spirit was great tonight. When he started having that body language, you try to get him the ball."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, NBCS Philadelphia
ABOUT THE PELICANS (10-7): Randle averages 25.6 minutes but posts 17.5 points and 8.5 rebounds while occasionally putting up big assist numbers. "I really did think that he played great," New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters of Randle. "Not just from the standpoint of being a facilitator. He took advantage of matchups to have a triple-double. I think this is maybe the fourth one he’s had (in his career) or something. I just thought he played great. Really played with a lot of force. His rebounding was great. His play-making was great. He had a really good solid game." Star forward Anthony Davis had a solid game as well and is averaging 37.3 points during the three-game winning streak.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (12-7): Philadelphia is still ironing out its rotation after the addition of Butler but continues to find minutes for reserve power forward Mike Muscala, who scored a season-high 19 points in 23 minutes on Monday. "Mike was instrumental at making efforts going to the boards," Brown told reporters. "A few times, he got fouled. He was able to stretch the floor and make a three. I thought he did a good job." Butler added 16 points in the latest win and is averaging 18.3 in four games since joining the team.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Pelicans SG E'Twaun Moore is averaging 21.3 points on 62.2 percent shooting over the last six games.
2. Philadelphia is 9-0 at home.
3. The home team took each of the two matchups last season.