Player grades: Sixers use historic shooting performance to run over Pacers
The Philadelphia 76ers paid a visit to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night to continue their 3-game road trip looking to get everything moving in the right direction and making sure they are all on the right page before the playoffs begin on April 16.
The Sixers used some ridiculously hot shooting on their way to a 131-122 win over the Pacers on the road. The Sixers knocked down 17 triples in the first half which is a franchise record for 3-pointers made in a half and they knocked down 23 for the game which is a franchise record for 3s in a game. The shots they were making were really impressive as there was nothing the Pacers could do even though they cut a 27-point lead down to five.
Joel Embiid was magnificent and led Philadelphia with 45 points and 13 rebounds, Tyrese Maxey had 30 points and he knocked down eight triples while also having seven assists, Tobias Harris had 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists, and James Harden had 11 and 12 assists.
Here are the player grades following the win:
James Harden: A
Again, not the most aggressive game for Harden in terms of his scoring, but he was able to get his teammates involved. He had seven assists in his first 11 minutes and he was really running things on the offensive end. When he was able to get his own offense, he took advantage of it. The guy is a smart basketball player so it’s easy for him to get it going when he sees his chances.
Tyrese Maxey: A+
The young man out of Kentucky continues to take big leaps on the offensive end. He knocked down three triples in the first quarter and there were some good offensive moves mixed in with it. The impressive thing about Maxey’s shooting is it was all a mixture of shots. He was knocking down catch-and-shoot triples, he was knocking down shots off the dribble, he was knocking down shots in transition, and it was all so impressive.
Matisse Thybulle: D+
The only member of the starting lineup to not score in the first half when the Sixers went on their offensive rampage. Thybulle was still very good on the defensive end as he bothered Indiana whenever they were trying to run offense. With that being said, he also missed two wide-open layups in transition as he just couldn’t get anything going on offense.
Tobias Harris: A
This was another game for Harris where he continues to thrive in his new role in this offense. He knocked down three triples in the opening quarter and they were all off catching and shooting. As is always the case for Harris, when he is not thinking on the offensive end, he is able to get into a much better rhythm and he is able to really flourish.
Joel Embiid: A+
The big fella did what he does early in this one as he attacked the basket and went to work against a young Pacers team, but what was even more impressive was him ending the first quarter by banking in a deep triple over three defenders. Embiid was just bigger and badder than any defender Indiana could throw at him. There was another possession in the second quarter where he scored over a triple-team in the paint and that was really the story in this one. When Indiana was making their run, Embiid came back in after Jordan was ejected and he restored order. The Pacers truly had no answer for him all night.
This was a fast start for Niang as he quickly jumped into the 3-point party by knocking down two triples in the early going. What continues to be helpful for this team is his relationship with Harden. Whenever the two of them are in the game, the pick-and-pop action with Niang and Harden is always impressive. Overall, he knocked down three triples.
Shake Milton: B
The Sixers received an aggressive Milton in this one. He missed his first 3-pointer badly, but he was able to knock down the next two from deep. For this Sixers team to have any type of success in the postseason, they will need Milton to lead the bench unit.
DeAndre Jordan: D+
The Sixers will take these types of games from Jordan. He continues to be a step slow on the defensive end, but he was big on the offensive glass in his early minutes as he gave the Sixers a spark in that respect. However, he was ejected in the fourth quarter with a flagrant-2 foul and he was a minus-11 in nine minutes.
Danny Green: C+
Green didn’t make a 3-pointer until the third quarter, but he was able to make some plays with his passing. There really isn’t anything flashy about Green’s game. It is more just him being able to be effective out on the floor and being a good presence for the bench unit.
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