Now orphaned by James Harden (foot), absent until December, the Sixers still had to deal with the package of Joel Embiid (sick). Consequently, they mainly had to rely that night on Tyrese Maxey (31 points, 7 assists) and Tobias Harris (23 points, 9 rebounds).
Insufficient, however, to take over the Knicks, victorious (106-104) in Pennsylvania and thus ending their series of three consecutive defeats. A success to be credited to Jalen Brunson (23 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists) and Obi Toppin (17 points), imperial in the fourth quarter, when RJ Barrett (22 points, 9 rebounds) has its side highlighted in the first three.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— This victory, the Knicks went to get it. We didn’t give a lot of skin to the New York franchise when Philadelphia led 86-74 at the start of the fourth quarter, or 91-81 with six minutes remaining in the game. However, it was Tom Thibodeau’s men who walked away with the victory. Unrecognizable when they returned from the locker room, because they were unable to make a single basket, they bounced back wonderfully in the last act. In the wake, among others, of the saving awakening of Jalen Brunson and Obi Toppin, capable of reversing this meeting (almost) single-handedly, at the end.
— Max Tyrese. New strongman of these Sixers deprived of Joel Embiid and James Harden, the “combo guard” held its rank, confirming at the same time its beautiful current dynamic. On the day of his 22nd birthday, he thus illustrated himself as often on the offensive level. First imposing itself as the rare element of Philadelphia to produce, with the ball, good things in the first half. Then catching hot in the third quarter, to offer a comfortable lead, ten points, to his team. Admittedly somewhat expensive, “Rese” therefore assured the head of the Doc Rivers collective, despite this cruel defeat.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ The Brunson-Barrett-Toppin Trio. Also well helped by Cam Reddish (11 points at 100%), Jalen Brunson and Obi Toppin pulled out all the stops in the last act to overthrow the Sixers, while RJ Barrett carried the team for the first three quarters. In turn, they thus punished the opposing defense, with 3-point shots, baskets near the circle and at mid-distance, thanks to their advantage in size and/or speed over their respective vis-à-vis. Typically the kind of performance that must delight their demanding coach.
✅ Tobias Harris. Expected at the turn in the absence of the Embiid / Harden duo, the Sixers winger responded this night. Taking over from Tyrese Maxey, he didn’t force much and took what the Knicks defense gave him. Author of his best outing of the season and finally seen to his advantage, “Tobi” now hopes to capitalize on it, to help Philadelphia get back over the 50% win mark as quickly as possible…
✅ Paul Reed. After two seasons in the G-League and in the shadow of Joel Embiid, Dwight Howard, Andre Drummond and other Montrezl Harrell now, “BBall Paul” wants to push Doc Rivers to make room for him in his rotation, at positions 4/5 . If he wants to seduce him, he has every interest in reproducing such performances: 2 points, 4 rebounds, 6 steals and 2 blocks, in 18 minutes. Mobile, intimidating, endowed with a good sense of anticipation and athletic, the 23-year-old player feasted in defense. In this sector, we note in particular his promising sequences, alongside De’Anthony Melton, PJ Tucker or Matisse Thybulle.
⛔ Mitchell Robinson. Statistically, the pivot of the Knicks did not really perform (0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 fouls in 12 minutes). However, in the first half, he still hampered the Sixers attackers, and in particular Tyrese Maxey, with his bullying skills. The problem is that the 24-year-old did not reappear from the second half, the fault of pain in his right knee which led him to let Isaiah Hartenstein and especially Obi Toppin accompany Julius Randle in sequences in the five New Yorker.
EVAN FOURNIER OUT OF THE FIVE MAJOR
Note also that Tom Thibodeau has made a change in his starting lineup: exit Evan Fournier, make way for Quentin Grimes! And, the least we can say is that the two players did not particularly shine, accumulating together… 4 points in 29 minutes. Now helmed by Quentin Grimes, the Frenchman can be worried, especially since RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish have (again) shown great things in his position…
THE FOLLOWING
Philadelphia (4-6) : reception of Phoenix, on the night of Monday to Tuesday (02:00).
New York (4-4) : back to back against Boston, on the night of Saturday to Sunday (00:30).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NDvaL3fkWw
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