SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors have struggled all season keeping their fouls to a minimum. Of course, a foul magnet awaited them at Chase Center upon return from their most successful road trip of the season.
But a furious 19-point fourth quarter from Jordan Poole, who finished with 33 points, helped the Warriors overcome their foul trouble in a 120-112 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night, marking Golden State’s third straight win coming off back-to-back road victories.
Joel Embiid, the MVP frontrunner, kept the 76ers in pace with the Warriors early with frequent trips to the free throw line. Embiid took 10 free throws by the end of the first half, nearing his league-leading 11.7 free throw average per game. Embiid finished with 22 free throw attempts, hitting 19 of them in a 46-point game.
A frequent whistle slowed the game down to a drag through the first three quarters. Golden State maintained a slight edge for most of the game as the Sixers struggled from 3, missing their first eight 3-pointers until point guard Tyrese Maxey started to find his rhythm.
Poole started feeling his hot hand early, making three of his first six 3-point attempts. The Warriors had a two-point lead heading into the second half.
The Sixers looked to be pulling ahead when Maxey hit two more 3-pointers and Embiid got to the line for seven more free throws in the third quarter. The Sixers went on a 15-5 run and took an 88-79 lead over the Warriors entering the final frame.
Poole brought the Warriors back to life in the fourth quarter, scoring seven straight points including a tough 3-pointer from way beyond the arc to put them down by two with more than eight minutes remaining. Poole started to challenge the Sixers defense at the rim and get to the line.
Then Embiid subbed back in and scored seven straight points within two minutes to put Philly back up seven.
Both teams traded buckets in a frantic back-and-forth down the fourth quarter stretch. With Embiid running out of fuel, held down by Kevon Looney and Draymond Green’s help defense, Curry and Poole went to work on offense to give Golden State a five point lead with a minute remaining.
Curry finished with 29 points, challenging Embiid and the Sixers defense at the rim along with Poole down the stretch. Poole went 6-for-11 from 3 on the night.
