MINNEAPOLIS — The curtain raised for the first time on the Joel Embiid–James Harden partnership with the Philadelphia 76ers Friday night at Target Center as they took on the Minnesota Timberwolves. And, after two weeks of buildup and anticipation for what these two superstars would look like together, opening night lived up to the hype.
Behind 27 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists from Harden, and 34 points and 10 rebounds from Embiid, Philadelphia cruised to a 133-102 victory over Minnesota, in what Philadelphia hopes will be a sign of things to come.
“I keep telling our guys, yesterday and today, we don’t need to overcomplicate this early on, at least,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers said before the game. “We need to just put guys in the right space and just play. We do that, and we’ll be OK.”
The Sixers (36-23) were more than OK Friday night, casually…
