The Pelicans came to Philadelphia and did what the Sixers had done to them two weeks ago.
The Pelicans defeated the Sixers, 108-93, on Tuesday after the Sixers had beaten them, 99-88, in New Orleans on Dec. 8.
Anthony Davis, the NBA’s second-leading scorer, recorded a 31-point, 16-rebound double-double. In spite of his final stats on the box score (12 for 30 from the field, 7 for 10 from the line), Davis wasn’t even the most of the Sixers’ problems throughout the game.
The Pelicans’ bench drove them from the start. Led by Terrence Jones, E’Twaun Moore and former Sixer Tim Frazier (see below), the reserves combined for 52 points.
Noel receives standing O
First the crowd began with a “we want Nerlens” chant. Then, fans broke into a standing ovation when Noel checked in during the third quarter. It was clear Noel is still very much revered by Sixers fans in spite of his outspoken comments about his displeasure with the frontcourt situation.
Noel recorded four points (2 for 2) and three rebounds over 6:49 in the third. He did not come back into the game after that third-quarter stint.
Inside the stats
• Ersan Ilyasova led the Sixers with 14 points and grabbed four rebounds. Gerald Henderson was behind him with 13 points.
NBA
• Joel Embiid (six rebounds), Jahlil Okafor (seven rebounds) and Robert Covington (eight rebounds) scored 11 points apiece.
• Davis’ double-double was his 17th of the season. For Jones (17 points, 10 rebounds), it was his third.
• Moore scored 15 points and Frazier added 10 points, six assists and four rebounds off the bench.
Frazier made his mark
Sixers head coach Brett Brown fondly remembered Frazier, who fought his way into the NBA and has found a home with the Pelicans. Frazier was waived by the Sixers in 2015 after they claimed Thomas Robinson.
“He’s first an impressive person,” Brown said. “Because he’s intelligent and he has high character, he perseveres. He’s been rewarded. He came into our gym as sort of a favor for the Penn State coaching staff. All a sudden you’re watching him — I think it was against Dante Exum — in that gym where he was sort of just a favor, he ended up emerging as a real player.”
Familiar face
Jumaine Jones returned to the Wells Fargo Center as the ceremonial bell ringer prior to tip-off. Jones played two seasons for the Sixers and was a member of the 2001 team that reached the NBA Finals.
Owls honored
The 2016 AAC champion Temple Owls football team was honored after the first quarter.
Up next
The Sixers will begin a four-city road trip on Dec. 23 against the Suns in Phoenix.