There were still a handful of seconds to go, in this game whose fate was already decided, when Joel Embiid came to take him in his arms. The Wells Fargo Center had just exploded a minute earlier, seeing Tyrese Maxey, from yet another 3-point “step-back”, reaching the symbolic bar of 50 points. A first in his career.
The revelation of the Sixers didn’t beat the Pacers single-handedly, but still. Largely supported by his pivot, “lieutenant” for one evening (37 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists), he was the main architect of this victory, the eighth in a row, which allowed his team (8v-1d) to maintain the No. 1 spot across the entire league.
A high-flying performance which was almost necessary as the Pacers, in their role of scratch, caused problems for the Sixers. Overwhelmed by the penetration speed and long-distance skill of Tyrese Maxey on a cloud of confidence, the visitors had to let the storm pass in the first period. Trailing by 11 points after 12 minutes (38-27), Rick Carlisle’s players were up to 19 points behind in the second quarter.
Tyrese Haliburton responds to him
But Tyrese Haliburton, the Draft companion (2020) of the man on fire opposite and author of a huge double-double (25 points and 17 assists), reminded everyone why he was an All-Star and his team in the top 4 in the conference so far. The Pacers held on at the break (69-60) and in the following minutes. Until briefly, and for the first time in the match, taking the lead at the start of the fourth quarter (104-105).
The locals did not panic. While Tobias Harris turned into a garbage collector with his offensive rebounds, Maxey did it again until Joel Embiid returned. He took advantage of the presence of Patrick Beverley to spend more minutes without the ball, as a true full-back. Action symbol of his happy evening: Beverley sent a very ugly “airball” from the 3-point line that fell… directly into the hands of Maxey under the circle, who just had to finish.
By also relying on a few sequences in zone defense, Philadelphia regained several possessions in advance and will no longer be worried until the end of “money time”.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Tyrese Maxey’s cons. Everyone will of course remember the leader’s offensive explosion, but he also stood out in defense. At the start of the second period, he scored a crepe on Bennedict Mathurin by recovering the leather before taking a “euro-step” to the other side of the floor. Even more spectacular, in the following quarter, his counter on Buddy Hield which amounted to a dunk on the counter-attack.
– Extra rest for Joel Embiid. While the Pacers briefly took the lead at the start of the fourth quarter, Nick Nurse had the luxury of doing without his best player for long minutes. Seeing that Tyrese Maxey and the others were managing their effort, the Sixers coach only sent the pivot back four minutes from the end of the game. As a result, the pivot played 33 minutes, one less than his average for the season.
– Nicolas Batum holder. Kelly Oubre Jr. mowed down by a vehicle, the Frenchman regained the starting place. In 33 minutes, the veteran brought everything that allowed him to be in the Clippers’ five in the past. Defense (3 blocks), rebounding activity (7) and long-distance skill (9 points at 3/5 from distance).
– Pacers stay in Philadelphia. The Pacers (6v-4d) do not need to leave their hotel because the two teams meet next Tuesday, in the same room, but this time as part of the NBA tournament.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
