The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 117-97, at Smoothie King Center on Wednesday night.

The 76ers (1-0) and the Pelicans (0-1) played a tight game early on, but Philadelphia was just too much for New Orleans and didn't have problems to walk away with a victory in the season opener. The Sixers quickly established a four-point lead following the first quarter (29-25), but New Orleans responded with a 28-24 score in the second quarter to even things up at the break. However, the 76ers increased the tempo in the second half and they used a strong run to build an 11-point advantage heading into the final quarter. New Orleans tried to fight back, but it was too late for them to mount a potential comeback. The Sixers won the final quarter by nine points (36-27) and ended winning by a 20-point differential. The Sixers shot 51.8 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range, while the Pelicans shot 41.9 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from three-point range.

Joel Embiid was the top scorer for the Sixers since he ended with 22 points, but he also chipped in with six rebounds and five assists, while Furkan Korkmaz also notched 22 points -- though he did it while attempting only 11 shots and playing 20 minutes off the bench. Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey each had 20 points, though Harris also had a double-double with 12 rebounds. Seth Curry had 10 points, and Andre Drummond pulled down 17 rebounds.

Brandon Ingram paced the Pelicans with 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker notched 23 points and five rebounds. Devonte Graham contributed 18 points and five assists in his New Orleans debut. No other New Orleans player had 10 points, but Jonas Valanciunas had nine points and 12 rebounds while playing 30 minutes.