On Monday night in Portland, the Philadelphia 76ers played the Portland Trail Blazers in their final game of 2024. The Sixers, winners of their last three, looked to continue their first hot streak of the season in the new year.
Both teams appeared a bit cold as the game opened up, but as the first would continue, the Sixers would build a respectable eight-point lead in the early going. Not to be put away too soon, the Blazers would punch back with a 10-2 run that would pull the game back within striking distance heading into the second quarter.
Portland enjoyed a quick offensive burst but soon found the Sixers’ suffocating defense too much to match. Philadelphia built a 91-72 point lead following back-to-back dominant quarters and would enter the fourth with a commanding 19-point lead. The Sixers would take no chances in the fourth, rolling out their stars to put the Blazers away beyond reach.
It was a night of achievements for the Sixers. Joel Embiid set a new season high with 37 points, while Kelly Oubre racked up a career-high eight steals in this game, one short of a franchise record, and Tyrese Maxey set a Sixers record by making a three in his ninth consecutive game.
Philadelphia would ride into the new year as winners of four straight and 10 of their last 13 games. After a turbulent start to the season, the Sixers have found their footing, and not a moment too soon. The Sixers currently sit at 13-17 with 52 games left this season. Philadelphia is still a long way away from claiming a top spot in the East, but they sit just five games back of the fourth seed with over half the season remaining. Much can happen between now and then.
