Player grades: Joel Embiid, Sixers bounce back with win over Knicks
PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers returned home on Friday to host the New York Knicks following a 1-2 road trip. They fell to the Knicks and the Boston Celtics to end the trip and they were looking to put a halt to the two-game skid back at home.
It was a rough start for the Sixers as they were unable to contain Jalen Brunson and the other Knicks guards out on the perimeter. However, Philadelphia was able to make a push back and they eventually tied the game, and after withstanding another Knicks run, they battled back and earned a 119-108 victory. Joel Embiid led the way with 35 points and 11 rebounds with six assists on the night.
James Harden had 20 points and 12 assists with eight rebounds, Tyrese Maxey was terrific and had 27 points, and Tobias Harris added 12 points. PJ Tucker added five points and six rebounds and Georges Niang chipped in with 13.
Here are the player grades following the win at home:
James Harden: B
The Beard was content with letting Embiid get going on the offensive end as he continued to focus on playmaking. He had a tough time defensively as New York just has a lot of quicker guards in the form of Jalen Brunson, Immanuel Quickley, and others. This continues to be an issue in recent games as opposing guards have gotten into the paint rather easily. That is how teams have success in this league. They get into the paint, draw in defenders, and kick it out to shooters. Harden and the guards have to be better defensively. Overall, he didn’t shoot the ball well, but he was so dangerous with his passing in this one.
De'Anthony Melton: C-
It was a tough start defensively for Melton as Brunson was terrific off the dribble in getting to the lane and making things tough for the Sixers on the defensive end. He also had a tough time on offense as he was unable to convert the open looks he was receiving from deep. He finally got some looks to fall in the third quarter to help Philadelphia get back in the game.
Tobias Harris: B-
Harris missed a few wide-open looks deep in the early going as his poor shooting from deep continued early, but he was able to contribute on the glass and with his passing. He also wasn’t terrible on the defensive end as he continues to find ways to help despite his shot being off at the moment. He seemed to get going again with his shot, but it just wasn’t there overall.
PJ Tucker: B
Give Tucker some credit for how he defended Knicks All-Star Julius Randle. He was getting off to a hot start with his shot, but Tucker did a good job of defending him and giving him some trouble with his toughness and physicality. After that, Randle found out he can just use his quickness to get to the basket and score that way. Tucker was able to contribute offensively with a corner triple and he got a tough bucket amongst the trees off an offensive rebound.
Joel Embiid: A
With the Knicks missing Mitchell Robinson again, Embiid went right to work on the offensive end. He went right at Jericho Sims and made his life tough in the early going. Outside of his offense, Embiid wasn’t great defensively. There were a few times when New York’s guards were getting into the paint and the big fella didn’t do much in terms of contesting. He also looked out of place on the glass. Overall, the star big man was extremely tough to stop. The Knicks threw the kitchen sink at him, but it didn’t matter. He was terrific with his scoring.
Tyrese Maxey: A
The Sixers turned to Maxey rather early considering the struggles of Melton and he was able to score some points rather quickly. The fact that he was able to score early offset his own defensive issues with Brunson. He looked like his normal self in this one after a few rough shooting nights where it looked like he was completely out of rhythm. He was attacking the basket, the 3-point shot was falling, and he was able to make an impact on the offensive end of the floor.
Georges Niang: A-
The Minivan continues to show an improvement in putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket. His first two baskets came of that variety as he continues to add to his game. That will make his 3-point shooting that much more important. When teams come out on the closeout, then he’s able to attack with some tough dribbles to the basket. He knocked down a big triple during the second half to help the Sixers get back into it after New York went on a run.
Shake Milton: C-
The initial run for Milton was tough as he had a 3-point shot blocked to end the first quarter, he wasn’t able to help on the defensive end, and then he had a layup blocked as well. The positive out of his run was that he was continuing to be aggressive which is the most important thing.
Paul Reed: C-
Getting the backup center minutes in this one, Reed was able to contribute on the glass. He boxed out Isaiah Hartenstein and he was able to come away with a few impressive rebounds. However, per usual, he also had a few fouls that limited his effectiveness.
Danuel House Jr.: Incomplete
In the aftermath of the Matisse Thybulle trade, somebody had to take his minutes. House Jr. received the call and he had a few nice moments on the defensive end against New York’s perimeter players. He didn’t get a look in the second half.
