Sixers pull away from Pelicans in fourth quarter for 120-111 victory to extend home win streak to 10 games

There’s no room service available or frequent flier miles to be gathered, but home is looking good for the 76ers.

And for the most part, the Sixers are looking good there, too.

Shaking off jet lag from their four-game road trip, the Sixers returned to the Wells Fargo Center Monday night and held off the New Orleans Pelicans, 120-111.

This was the same Pelicans squad that defeated them by 11 points Friday night in the Big Easy. But the reversal of fortune three days later wasn’t that all surprising considering where the game was played.

“Man, it’s always been like that, really, since I’ve been here,” Joel Embiid said of the team’s home success.

Monday’s victory improved the Sixers to 22-14 and extended their home winning streak to a league-best 10 games. Their last home setback was a three-point decision to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 19. The Sixers are beating opponents by an average of 11 points during the streak. The victory improved them to 15-5 at The Center.

“It feels so good to be home, especially since we didn’t start the year off great at home,” De’Anthony Melton said. “So we lost [four of their first five] at home. So we got some payback to get.

“We got a great crowd. We got a great arena. And we all feel comfortable playing here. So why not?”

» READ MORE: Pelicans coach Willie Green fondly remembers his time with the Sixers and Doc Rivers

The Sixers also have a great player in Embiid.

On this night, the All-NBA center finished with 42 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists after being listed as questionable before the game with lower-back soreness. However, he had a brief scare with 3 minutes, 26 seconds remaining. After scoring on a contested layup, Embiid was fouled and fell to the court underneath the Pelicans’ basket. He had to be helped up by teammates. He walked gingerly to the huddle during a timeout, briefly leaning on teammate James Harden to support his weight. Embiid was able to remain in the game.

“It was one of those Paul Pierce moments you know what I mean? ... ” Harden said jokingly. “You never know what you are going to get out of Joel. But I think the rest of the game he played well and has been playing extremely well. And he got us going.”

Meanwhile, Harden added 27 points and eight assists after having the night off in Saturday’s victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Tyrese Maxey had 12 points on 5-for-14 shooting in his second game back after being sidelined with fractured left foot. Maxey missed 18 games with the injury before returning Friday night. He had the night off Saturday before playing Monday. Maxey, who’s on a minutes restriction, came off the bench in both games. Georges Niang added 15 points while making 5 of 9 shots — all three-pointers.

For the Pelicans (23-14), C.J. McCollum finished with 26 points while making 5 of 8 three-pointers. He made 11 threes and scored 42 points versus the Sixers on Friday.

New Orleans power forward Zion Williamson (26 points on 10-for-12 shooting) suffered a game-ending right hamstring strain in the third quarter.

Embiid arrived at the arena early for an afternoon shootaround and to partake in shooting drills to test out his sore back several hours before the game. The All-Star, who aggravated his back on Saturday, also participated in his normal shooting drills around 40 minutes before tip-off.

On the court, he didn’t resemble someone who was close to a game-time decision, especially not early. Embiid scored 13 first-quarter points on 4-for-5 shooting to go with six rebounds and two assists.

After scoring five points in the second quarter, Embiid carried the Sixers in the third quarter. He scored 15 points in the quarter while attempting 13 of his team’s 21 shots, making six.

Embiid added nine points in the fourth quarter with four coming after his fourth-quarter spill.

Asked how his back was feeling after the game, Embiid responded, “Not good.” The seventh-year veteran said he was going to receive treatment on the back after speaking to the media.

The third-year guard still has a ways to go in regards to shaking off the rust.

As expected, Maxey’s timing was off playing in his second game after being sidelined for over a month. His shot was flat, as Maxey missed several shots he would normally make. It’s obvious that it’s going to take him several games to get his legs under him. However, he did hit a three-pointer that gave the Sixers a 92-89 lead with 9:26 left. Then he added a layup that put them up, 96-91, with 7:40 remaining.

Before the game, Sixers coach Doc Rivers talked about wanting to do a better a job of handling the ball. That’s because they committed 19 turnovers that led to 30 points against the Pelicans on Friday. They did a much better job this time around. They only had 10 turnovers, which led to just nine points.

» READ MORE: Pelicans coach Willie Green fondly remembers his time with the Sixers and Doc Rivers

The Sixers will entertain the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. The Pacers are riding a four-game winning streak and hold a 21-17 record after Monday’s victory over the Toronto Raptors.

The Sixers hold a 1-0 series advantage over Indiana, prevailing, 120-106, on Oct. 24. It was their first win of the season after opening with losses to the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and San Antonio Spurs.