New Orleans PelicansOpen full analysis
Philadelphia 76ersOpen full analysis
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 124–114 on January 31 at Wells Fargo Center, with Joel Embiid's 40 points leading the way as Kawhi Leonard's absence continued to reshape the roster. Philadelphia's offense operated efficiently at 47.9% from the field while connecting on 17 three-pointers, though the game fell short of the Vegas total line of 234.5. Kawhi Leonard's supporting cast, including Kelvin Oubre Jr. with 19 points, helped the 76ers outscore New Orleans 37–33 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. The Pelicans, powered by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 34 points and Trey Murphy III's 19, shot just 43.5% and made only 15 threes despite a balanced 23-assist effort. Philadelphia's defensive rating of 113.2 proved decisive against New Orleans' 113.2 offensive rating, while the 76ers' 28 assists and 52 rebounds gave them control of the tempo and boards. The Pelicans' second-quarter collapse—scoring just 21 points—proved costly in an otherwise competitive matchup. The 76ers' depth and Embiid's scoring prowess continue to position them as Eastern Conference contenders.
