Joel Embiid was back after three games of absence (knee injury) and he quickly launched the Sixers into the game, with his mid-range shots. Philadelphia's defense also steals balls, but Houston resists and plays shots well. However, after a time-out, Nick Nurse's men finished the first quarter with a severe 17-2. The lead is therefore significant after twelve minutes (33-17).
The gap widens at the start of the second quarter and without Embiid, the Sixers experience a small period of uncertainty. Tyrese Maxey is greedy, tries his luck a lot and the shots are less clean. But the Rockets do not benefit from it, still struggling in attack. When the 2023 MVP returns, he drives home the point with 13 points in a row and, at the break, the Sixers are almost twenty points ahead (66-47).
Even with Joel Embiid on the bench, Houston doesn't have the weapons
The start of the second half confirms the first: Joel Embiid scores, Houston is behind. But as the Sixers pivot takes his fifth foul less than five minutes from the end of the third quarter and there is only thirteen points difference, there is perhaps a move to be made for the troops of Ime Udoka. It was quickly forgotten because in the wake of the Cameroonian's exit, Nicolas Batum and his teammates went 6-0. Before the last act, there is always a comfortable cushion between the two formations (98-77).
Which makes for an uninteresting last quarter, except for the Tyrese Maxey show and to watch Embiid exceed 40 points. Victory for the Sixers therefore, with a score (124-115) ultimately very flattering for the Rockets thanks to the last minutes, in a meeting where they never trembled against a very disappointing opponent.
What you must remember
Successful return for Joel Embiid. The three matches away from the courts did not slow down the All-Star. He already had 26 points at the break, with his mid-range shots and free throws. He will be less productive in the second period, but still finishes with a solid statistics sheet: 41 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes. This is the 16th straight game with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds for the league's leading scorer.
Rockets in the tough. After being dominated by the Celtics, this is another slap in the face for the Texans. Except for the first few minutes, they were never in the match. Clumsy at 3-points as well as free throws (30% success behind the arc, 59% at the line), they chased the score without ever upsetting the Sixers. This “road trip” to the East is definitely complicated for Ime Udoka and his men since it is the fourth defeat in five matches. The only victory, very narrow, was snatched from Detroit, the worst team in the league…
Stats & highlights to come…
