Sixers are on a winning start to New Year’s Eve victory
3 observations after Sixers ride very strong start to New Year’s Eve win Original version: NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Sixers Finish 2022 with an Oklahoma City win that was the best of both worlds.
James Harden, Tyrese Maxey P.J. Tucker All had injury management nights on Saturday. They witnessed the Sixers win a 116 to 95 victory over the Thunder at Paycom Center.
The Sixers’ year ended with a satisfying, balanced, and well-balanced conclusion. They now stand at 21-14 after a 2-2 road trip. They will play the Pelicans in Philadelphia on Monday night.
Tobias Harris Scored 23 points, nine rebounds, and four assists Joel Embiid With 16 points, 13 boards and 10 assists, he achieved his fifth triple-double in his career. He also blocked four shots.
Shake Milton De’Anthony Melton and Melton together scored 35 points, 11 boards and 10 assists. Melton’s game stat line was probably the best: 17 points. Seven boards. Five assists. Zero turnovers. Three steals. Two blocks.
Thunder guard Josh Giddey He had 20 points and nine boards. The Sixers won Shai Gilgeous-Alexander You can score up to 14 points when you shoot 4-for-15.
Here are some observations about their win in the New Year.
Stellar start doesn’t feature Embiid
Milton Matisse Thybulle entered the Sixers’ starting lineup and helped the team earn an almost-immediate double-digit lead for the second straight night.
To no one’s surprise, Embiid scored the game’s first basket. Rookie Jaylin WilliamsHe fooled him by putting on a pump fake, step-through move, and layup. Embiid was glad to let others take the scoring load.
Melton swiped two steals in the first two minutes, while the Sixers didn’t replicate their first-half turnover troubles from Friday’s loss to the Pelicans. Melton, Thybulle, and Milton each made catch-and-shoot triple-pointers. Harris drove in for an and-one hoop, Milton converted a put-back layup, and Thybulle’s corner three put the Sixers up 27-9. While OKC isn’t an elite defense and the Sixers were bound to start missing some contested jumpers, the team still played an undeniably excellent first quarter. The Sixers didn’t seem to think they would win easily.
Harris was especially sharp during the first. Harden and Maxey’s absences meant more of everything for him — play calls, touches, post-ups — and he handled it all well, increasing his aggression while playing with good pace and spotting open teammates. Milton’s play at point guard was excellent, except for the moment he telegraphed to Embiid his favorite pocket pass. Though Embiid is obviously a fantastic top option — he’d led the Sixers in scoring 14 consecutive games before Saturday — the team has usually looked competent and comfortable with a more egalitarian offensive style thanks to players like Harris, Milton and Melton.
Embiid or old friends
In the middle of the first quarter, OKC switched to a lineup that included two ex-Embiid teammates.
Mike Muscala Held center, though 6-foot-3 shooting guard Isaiah Joe Embiid ended up being the victim on one play. The 23-year-old managed a way out of the situation. He fell to the floor and drew a foul. Embiid tried to grab the elbow catch from the smaller defender. Limiting Embiid’s touches sounded like a solid strategy for the Thunder, but they sometimes struggled to execute it. Embiid is led by Muscala Georges Niang To set up his big man for a layin, he threw an excellent high-low pass.
After drawing a whistle for Muscala and making two free shots, Embiid passed. Andre Iguodala For ninth place on the all-time Sixers scoring record. With 4:37 remaining in the second quarter, the Sixers held a 31-point advantage thanks to an Embiid fast break slam.
Embiid had a great night shooting against Muscala, the Thunder. He was 4 for 12, with a mid-range miss in the third quarter. After helping Harris to his triple-double, he passed the test well and was replaced by Embiid with less than four minutes remaining.
Melton dispels all thoughts of collapse
The Sixers’ lead swelled to 33 points late in the second period on a Danuel House Jr. three-pointer.
They were somewhat fortunate that Oklahoma City missed a few looks from close range and opened cold beyond the arc, but the Sixers’ defense was absolutely improved from the night prior. Melton’s all-around aptitude — including his rebounding — has consistently been so valuable when the Sixers are shorthanded. It’s been great to have at full strength, too.
The Sixers’ third quarter wasn’t good, though. Thybulle, who started the night on Gilgeous Alexander, picked up his fourth foul seven seconds into the second period. Thybulle’s 22 minutes Saturday were significantly more than the 25-year-old’s norm this seasonHe was able to run longer, but foul trouble kept him out of the game. Doc Rivers, Sixers head coach, kept Thybulle in game after he received his fifth foul at 6:17. Thybulle took his third foul and made it just over a minute later. He’s now at 35.9 percent from long range (on very low volume — 14 of 39).
Embiid seemed tired in the middle part of the third. He was slower to join his teammates on half-court possessions on two plays, and had more hands on his knees than usual. The Sixers were sloppy in the fourth quarter with Melton, Harris, and Embiid on the bench. OKC’s deficit was reduced to 17 points by two Joe threes. The Sixers were lucky that the Thunder continued to misfire around the rim. Furkan Korkmaz With two seconds remaining in the third, he missed two free throws.
Early in the fourth, it was obvious that Melton wasn’t about to fall. In just 35 seconds, he blocked. Kenrich WilliamsMelton hit a three-pointer and drove in for a layup, which extended the Sixers’ lead to 22 points. Melton played like a starter whether or not Maxey is fully recovered.
He was a team high plus-27 on Saturday, and he lived up to his do everything reputation.