Game ID: 22300566
Denver Nuggets @ Philadelphia 76ers
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
PHI 36 42 21 27 126DEN 38 40 26 17 121
DEN @ PHI ScoutingDEN @ PHI Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
PHI availability going into 1/06 · back-to-backOUT Melton missed 2 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 2 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Embiid back 1/02 after 4, 34 min since (98% of 35)
BACK Batum back 12/30 after 5, 21 min since (80% of 26)
BACK Springer back 1/02 after 2, 18 min since (153% of 12)
PHI availability going into 1/10 · 3 days' restOUT Melton missed 3 since 1/02, returns tonight: 21 min (81% of 26)
OUT Covington missed 3 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Embiid back 1/02 after 4, 34 min since (98% of 35)
BACK Batum back 12/30 after 5, 22 min since (85% of 26)
BACK Springer back 1/02 after 2, 16 min since (140% of 12)
PHI availability going into 1/12 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 2 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 4 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT House Jr. missed 2 since 1/06, returns tonight: 14 min (96% of 15)
BACK Melton back 1/10 after 3, 21 min since (81% of 26)
BACK Batum back 12/30 after 5, 25 min since (97% of 26)
BACK Springer back 1/02 after 2, 16 min since (132% of 12)
PHI availability going into 1/15 · 2 days' restOUT Embiid missed 3 since 1/06, returns tonight: 31 min (90% of 35)
OUT Covington missed 5 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Melton back 1/10 after 3, 23 min since (88% of 26)
BACK House Jr. back 1/12 after 2, 14 min since (96% of 15)
BACK Springer back 1/02 after 2, 13 min since (111% of 12)
PHI availability going into 1/16 · back-to-backOUT Covington missed 6 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Embiid back 1/15 after 3, 31 min since (90% of 35)
BACK Melton back 1/10 after 3, 23 min since (88% of 26)
BACK House Jr. back 1/12 after 2, 16 min since (108% of 15)
PHI availability going into 1/19 · 2 days' restOUT Melton missed 2 since 1/15, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 7 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Bamba missed 2 since 1/15, out tonight
OUT Springer missed 2 since 1/15, out tonight
BACK Embiid back 1/15 after 3, 35 min since (101% of 35)
BACK House Jr. back 1/12 after 2, 16 min since (108% of 15)
NEW Beverley 20 to 26 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 1/20 · back-to-backOUT Melton missed 3 since 1/15, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 8 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Bamba missed 3 since 1/15, out tonight
OUT Springer missed 3 since 1/15, out tonight
BACK Embiid back 1/15 after 3, 34 min since (97% of 35)
BACK House Jr. back 1/12 after 2, 15 min since (97% of 15)
NEW Beverley 20 to 25 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 1/22 · 1 day's restOUT Melton missed 4 since 1/15, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 9 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Bamba missed 4 since 1/15, out tonight
OUT Springer missed 4 since 1/15, out tonight
BACK Embiid back 1/15 after 3, 34 min since (99% of 35)
BACK House Jr. back 1/12 after 2, 18 min since (118% of 15)
NEW Beverley 20 to 28 min over the last 4
PHI availability going into 1/25 · 2 days' restOUT Melton missed 5 since 1/15, out tonight
OUT Beverley missed 2 since 1/20, returns tonight: 19 min (97% of 20)
OUT Covington missed 10 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Bamba missed 5 since 1/15, out tonight
OUT Springer missed 5 since 1/15, returns tonight: 15 min (125% of 12)
BACK Embiid back 1/15 after 3, 35 min since (101% of 35)
DEN availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 3 since 1/01, returns tonight: 21 min (194% of 11)
BACK Gordon back 1/01 after 2, 32 min since (99% of 32)
BACK Holiday back 12/28 after 4, 15 min since (99% of 15)
DEN availability going into 1/10 · 2 days' restOUT Strawther missed 2 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 1/01 after 2, 29 min since (90% of 32)
BACK Holiday back 1/05 after 2, 7 min since (49% of 15)
BACK Jordan back 1/07 after 3, 21 min since (194% of 11)
DEN availability going into 1/12 · 1 day's restOUT Strawther missed 3 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 1/01 after 2, 29 min since (90% of 32)
BACK Holiday back 1/05 after 2, 9 min since (61% of 15)
BACK Jordan back 1/07 after 3, 14 min since (132% of 11)
DEN availability going into 1/14 · 1 day's restOUT Strawther missed 4 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 1/05 after 2, 7 min since (49% of 15)
BACK Jordan back 1/07 after 3, 14 min since (131% of 11)
DEN availability going into 1/16 · 1 day's restOUT Strawther missed 5 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 1/05 after 2, 6 min since (39% of 15)
BACK Jordan back 1/07 after 3, 12 min since (115% of 11)
DEN availability going into 1/19 · 2 days' restOUT Strawther missed 6 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Jordan back 1/07 after 3, 12 min since (111% of 11)
DEN availability going into 1/21 · 1 day's restOUT Strawther missed 7 since 1/05, out tonight
DEN availability going into 1/23 · 1 day's restOUT Strawther missed 8 since 1/05, out tonight
DEN availability going into 1/25 · 1 day's restOUT Holiday missed 2 since 1/21, returns tonight: 12 min (82% of 15)
OUT Strawther missed 9 since 1/05, out tonight
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 119, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 27 free throws a game; Maxey at 27 and Harris at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Covington (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 116, shooting 55 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murray at 24 and Jokić at 22 a game. One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-2 a night and Philadelphia minus-8 and the turnovers, Denver giving it away 15 times a game to Philadelphia's 11. Call it Philadelphia 117, Denver 116, Denver keeping it close.
1/06 vs UTA 109-120 — PHI notes
PHI lost 109-120. PHI took 24 more shots (104 to 80), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 40% to UTA's 58%, 7 of 38 from three. PHI turned it over 6 times to UTA's 23. The glass went 34-48 against them. Maxey led with 25 (9 of 24, 1 of 8 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Oubre Jr. added 24, Reed 16. Q2 was theirs, 29-26, the deficit cut from 4 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 94-80 against them. Springer's -15 in 13 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/10 @ ATL 132-139 — PHI notes
PHI lost 132-139 in 1 overtime. PHI shot 45% (46 of 102) to ATL's 47%, 12 of 34 from three, and got to the line 33 times to ATL's 42. Maxey led with 35 (12 of 29, 4 of 11 from three, 7 of 9 at the line); Harris added 32, Morris Sr. 17. Q2 was theirs, 33-27, turning a 3-point deficit into a 3-point lead, but the other 4 periods went 112-99 against them. Beverley's -15 in 13 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/12 vs SAC 112-93 — PHI notes
PHI won 112-93. PHI shot 43% (40 of 93) to SAC's 34%, 15 of 35 from three, and got to the line 18 times to SAC's 26. Harris led with 37 (14 of 25, 3 of 7 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Maxey added 21, Batum 14. The hinge was Q2, 36-25: a lead of 8 became 19, and the lead reached 25. Harris was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
1/15 vs HOU 124-115 — PHI notes
PHI won 124-115. PHI shot 48% (40 of 83) to HOU's 50%, 15 of 31 from three. Embiid led with 41 (12 of 21, 1 of 5 from three, 16 of 17 at the line); Maxey added 27, Beverley 11. The hinge was Q1, 33-19: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 28. Morris Sr. was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
1/16 vs DEN 126-121 — PHI notes
PHI won 126-121. PHI shot 57% (43 of 76) to DEN's 51%, 15 of 31 from three, and went to the line 34 times to DEN's 25 — 25 points from the stripe to their 19. The glass went 32-46 against them. Embiid led with 41 (13 of 22, 3 of 6 from three, 12 of 15 at the line); Maxey added 25, Harris 24. The hinge was Q4, 27-17: PHI came in trailing by 5 and left it ahead by 5. Harris was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
1/19 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 105, shooting 43 percent and 28 from three, 21 free throws a game; Banchero at 22 and M. Wagner at 15 a game. Without F. Wagner (7 straight), Gar. Harris (7 straight), M. Wagner (2 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 28 free throws a game; Maxey at 27 and Harris at 26 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Melton (2 straight), Covington (7 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Philadelphia at 38 percent from three to Orlando's 28 and the glass, where Orlando has been plus-1 a night and Philadelphia minus-9. Call it Philadelphia 113, Orlando 111, Orlando keeping it close.
1/20 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 123, shooting 42 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Ball at 26 and Rozier at 21 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 115, shooting 48 percent and 43 from three, 30 free throws a game; Embiid at 39 and Maxey at 28 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Melton (3 straight), Covington (8 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Philadelphia wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Philadelphia takes 30 free throws a game to Charlotte's 19 and the turnovers, Charlotte giving it away 14 times a game to Philadelphia's 10. Call it Philadelphia 121, Charlotte 111, Philadelphia by 10.
1/22 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 105, shooting 47 percent and 41 from three, 28 free throws a game; Embiid at 38 and Maxey at 24 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Melton (4 straight), Covington (9 straight). One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 26 and Johnson at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the defense, Philadelphia allowing 105 a night to San Antonio's 120 and the arc, Philadelphia at 41 percent from three to San Antonio's 34. Call it Philadelphia 121, San Antonio 109, Philadelphia by 12.
1/25 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Turner at 19 and Siakam at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Haliburton (2 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 32 free throws a game; Embiid at 44 and Maxey at 24 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Melton (5 straight), Beverley (2 straight), Covington (10 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Philadelphia takes 32 free throws a game to Indiana's 23 and the defense, Philadelphia allowing 111 a night to Indiana's 120. Call it Philadelphia 120, Indiana 116, Indiana keeping it close.
1/07 vs DET 131-114 — DEN notes
DEN won 131-114. DEN shot 59% (47 of 80) to DET's 47%, 10 of 27 from three. Murray led with 37 (14 of 24, 3 of 8 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Caldwell-Pope added 18, Porter Jr. 18. The hinge was Q3, 43-28: a lead of 8 became 23. Porter Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +29.
1/10 @ UTA 111-124 — DEN notes
DEN lost 111-124. DEN shot 46% (37 of 81) to UTA's 55%, 13 of 33 from three. Jokić led with 27 (8 of 9, 10 of 12 at the line); Murray added 17, Gordon 12. Q4 was theirs, 33-25, the deficit cut from 21 to 13, but the other 3 periods went 99-78 against them. Murray's -27 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/12 vs NOP 125-113 — DEN notes
DEN won 125-113. DEN shot 56% (50 of 90) to NOP's 47%, 14 of 33 from three, and got to the line 15 times to NOP's 22. DEN turned it over 15 times to NOP's 8, and NOP turned those into 9 steals. The glass went 48-35 for them. Jokić led with 27 (11 of 17); Murray added 20, Porter Jr. 20. The hinge was Q1, 37-25: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 22. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
1/14 vs IND 117-109 — DEN notes
DEN won 117-109. DEN shot 65% (46 of 71) to IND's 47%, 10 of 20 from three. DEN turned it over 21 times to IND's 13, and IND turned those into 11 steals. Porter Jr. led with 25 (9 of 15, 7 of 11 from three); Murray added 25, Jokić 25. The hinge was Q2, 32-29: from level to 3 ahead. Gordon was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
1/16 @ PHI 121-126 — DEN notes
DEN lost 121-126. DEN took 13 more shots (89 to 76), fed by 16 offensive rebounds, but shot 51% to PHI's 57%, 12 of 29 from three, and got to the line 25 times to PHI's 34. The glass went 46-32 for them. Jokić led with 25 (11 of 20); Porter Jr. added 20, Murray 17. Q3 was theirs, 26-21, but the other 3 periods went 105-95 against them. Porter Jr.'s -12 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/19 @ BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 112, shooting 44 percent and 42 from three, 26 free throws a game; Brown at 24 and Tatum at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 117, shooting 55 percent and 42 from three, 24 free throws a game; Murray at 23 and Jokić at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. 2 days' rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-5 a night and Boston minus-2 and the turnovers, Denver giving it away 15 times a game to Boston's 10. Call it Boston 118, Denver 114, Denver keeping it close.
1/21 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Poole at 21 and Kuzma at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Gafford (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 114, shooting 53 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Jokić at 28 and Murray at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-7 a night and Washington minus-5 and the arc, Denver at 39 percent from three to Washington's 35. Call it Denver 118, Washington 115, Washington keeping it close.
1/23 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 121, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Turner at 17 and Hield at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 110, shooting 54 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Jokić at 31 and Murray at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-10 a night and Indiana minus-5 and the defense, Denver allowing 110 a night to Indiana's 121. Call it Denver 118, Indiana 116, Indiana keeping it close.
1/25 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 101, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brunson at 35 and Randle at 23 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Robinson (23 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 110, shooting 53 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Jokić at 31 and Murray at 25 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 101 a night to Denver's 110. Call it New York 113, Denver 108.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PHIJE J. Embiid
KO K. Oubre Jr.
MM M. Morris Sr.
NB N. Batum
PB P. Beverley
PR P. Reed
TH T. Harris
TM T. Maxey
DENAG A. Gordon
CB C. Braun
DJ D. Jordan
JM J. Murray
JO Jokic
KC K. Caldwell-Pope
MP M. Porter Jr.
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
RJ R. Jackson
PHI/DEN the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Joel Embiid outshines Nikola Jokic in NBA MVPs matchup, leads 76ers past Nuggets 126-121
PHILADELPHIA -- — Joel Embiid palmed Nikola Jokic 's head and whispered into his ear with the highest of praise one MVP could tell another in the aftermath of an epic showdown.
Embiid told Jokic that his counterpart was "the best player in the league.”
With good reason: Jokic does have an NBA Finals MVP and a championship ring. Embiid is doing his best to chase him down.
Embiid had 41 points and 10 assists to lead the Philadelphia 76ers past Jokic and the Denver Nuggets 126-121 on Tuesday night in a battle of the last two NBA MVP s.
Jokic held up his end of a heavyweight showdown with 25 points and 19 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards.
“It's funny, because Twitter, we have a war going on between Philly fans and Denver fans,” Embiid said. "It's funny because both of us are just like, who cares? We want to play basketball and win some games. But he deserves (the praise). Until you knock him down, that's the best in the league. He's the finals MVP. Until you take that away, he can claim that.
“But then again, I also believe in myself.”
Tyrese Maxey scored 25 points and Tobias Harris had 24 for the Sixers.
Embiid got the better of Jokic late, buoyed by a three-point play that stretched the Sixers’ lead. Embiid was fouled on a bucket and crotch-chopped in celebration toward the fans. He made the free throw for a 118-113 lead. Embiid followed with a 3-pointer for an eight-point lead and showed the Sixers are as good as any team when he’s healthy -- even against the NBA champs.
Embiid gave the Sixers a scare when he fouled Michael Porter Jr . on a 3-point attempt with 26.6 seconds left. Porter hit the three free throws that pulled the Nuggets within four. Time simply ran out on a comeback.
Anyone care for a rematch in June?
“I'm not playing against him, I'm playing against Philadelphia,” Jokic said. “It was a good matchup.”
Jokic won two straight NBA MVP awards and was beat out last season by Embiid for the honor. Embiid, a two-time defending scoring champ, again leads the league in scoring. Jokic averaged 25.5 points and had Denver rolling with one of the best records in the NBA.
Embiid had his 18th straight 30-point game, tying Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor for the sixth-longest streak in NBA history.
“The card tonight is more than just the big heavyweight matchup,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said ahead of tipoff. “There’s a little bit more going on. I think it’s going to be worth going out there for tonight to watch it.”
He was on target.
The 76ers and Nuggets played one of the most entertaining halves of the season, a 78-all tie, and jolted another packed house onto their feet from the tip.
With a national audience watching and Julius Erving in the house, the stars delivered. Embiid and Maxey combined to make 6 of their first 9 shots for 14 points. Jokic and Jamal Murray , who finished with 17 points and 10 assists, kept pace in the shootout.
The MVPs showed why each could win another one this season. Embiid buried a 3 that cut it to 30-29 only or Jokic to come back and lay it up over the 76ers center for a 32-29 lead.
Embiid placed his hand on Jokic’s back when the Serbian dribbled toward the bucket. Embiid was whistled for a reach-in foul and threw his arms in the air in protest. Nurse barked at the officials. The crowd unkindly chanted at the refs what they thought of them.
Kelly Oubre Jr . and Harris finished consecutive alley-oops that sent the crowd into a frenzy. When Murray hit a 3 at the horn, the teams went into halftime tied.
Embiid scored 23 points and the 76ers shot 67% from the floor. Jokic had 15 and Denver shot 58% in the half. The teams combined for 17 3s and both shot over 53% in a half with a frantic, videogame feel.
“This is my first time with this team against these guys,” Nurse said. “Where are we compared to these guys? What’s it look like up close? I hope we can get something out of that.”
Philly sure did: a W.
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Hope to have an easier time getting to Boston for Friday's game than they did with a nearly nine-hour flight to Philadelphia.