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Sixers/Hornets Recap: Philly Dominates, 76ers are 6-2 Through Last 8 Games

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By Chip Bayless (click Howie for more Chip)

 

 

The Sixers came into this game 8-16 and 12th in the Eastern Conference. After a slight break due to the NBA Cup “Championship” and with Jared McCain now confirmed to be out for the year, Sixers fans probably felt like it would have to come down to Embiid or PG turning back the clock quickly, or a dominant Tyrese Maxey performance (or combination of the two).

Although, considering the three of the Sixers’ eight wins so far this season going into the game had come against the Hornets, there was definite reason for optimism at tip-off.

Throw in the Sixers announcing Embiid would be active while the Hornets announced LaMelo would be inactive, and you’ve got a powder keg of 76ers hopium just waiting to be set off in what many fans (including myself) hoped would be a dominant win.



It didn’t take long for the match to be lit, as the Sixers had the lead the entire first quarter and ended the period up 41-23, marking a season-high in first quarter points for Philadelphia while Embiid, Maxey, and Oubre all scored at least eight points in the quarter.

The quarter was a startling combination of decisiveness, creative passing, and elite shooting. Check out this through-the-legs assist from Embiid to Maxey:

Kelly Oubre was a noticeable presence the entire half, and was likely the key difference-maker in the game overall.

Oubre was constantly crashing the boards, getting separation and creating his own shot, and putting back second-chance opportunities while finishing second to only Maxey in 1st-half points and leading the team in 1st-half rebounds.

The Sixers continued their domination throughout the second quarter despite turnovers as they went the entire half without relinquishing the lead.


They also bested the Hornets in basically every statistical category in the half except for FT%, blocks, and turnovers:

The 76ers were nailing devasting corner threes, and finding the exact shots they wanted when it came to the easiest ones in the first half, and it showed on the shot chart:

 

It was encouraging to see players who have stepped up in recent weeks like Ricky Council and KJ Martin make some incredible plays too, and it felt like the entire team was completely locked-in and bought-in for the entirety of the night.

KJ Martin in particular showed chemistry with the starters, and he and Tyrese Maxey connected on several impressive plays.

Martin’s efficiency has been underrated all season, and he has the eight-highest FG% when it comes to players putting up at least four shots per game (a modest and fair bar if you ask me). He’s also has the 2nd-best true shooting percentage in the entire league (per NBA.com).

Check out this insane KJ Martin dunk where he seemingly flew through the air following a gritty steal and creative feed, which were some of the 76ers trademarks against the Ball-less Hornets:

Jumping passing lanes like cornerbacks and battling for grueling steals have been key markers of the Sixers’ best games of the season, and at the moment they are averaging the sixth-most steals per game in the NBA.

With four minutes left in the third quarter, the outcome of the game already seemed all but certain as the Sixers were up 79-64 while Embiid, Maxey, and Oubre all had at least 18 points and two assists.

Throw in Paul George’s team-leading seven assists and six rebounds at the time, and this looked like maybe the most complete game Philadelphia has put together all season long.

However, the Hornets cut was once a 23-point lead all the way down to just six midway through the fourth quarter, with momentum momentarily teetering towards them.

Embiid answered with quick points though and The Dancing Bear sprinted down the court for an absolute YAM on a Hornets’ defender that resulted in the Sixers getting the lead back up to 96-87.

If a dunk has ever stolen another human’s soul during the Sixers short season so far, that was certainly it.

While the Hornets certainly got the game close, missed free throws on Charlotte’s part and tenacious rebounding combined with 34 points and nine rebounds from Embiid on the 76ers part led to Philly eventually playing keep away and ticking the clock down.

Take a look at this creative hesitation move by Embiid to send a defender flying by so he could loft the ball up for an easy close bucket:

Another critical element to the Sixers win against Charlotte, and their most impressive wins of the season, has been Tyrese Maxey’s blazing speed creating quagmires for defenses in addition to his top-10 decision making as he’s seemingly always making the correct decision with the basketball despite being a proverbial tornado of creative playmaking.

Thus far, Maxey is averaging the sixth-most PPG among this year’s point guards (12th in PPG among all players) and ranks, among PGs:

  • 2nd in steals per game to only Luka (3rd in STLs regardless of position)
  • 7th in FGM
  • 11th in 3PM

Maxey is also one of only five PGs who has a triple double so far this season, and he ranks 2nd among all players to only Mikal Bridges in distance run miles per game, is fifth in the NBA in clutch FT%, and ranks 11th in usage percentage.


Among 76ers, Maxey leads the team in PPG and steals, and he has the second-most assists as he trails only Paul George in that category.

Now 6-2 through their last eight contests, Sixers fans have as much reason for optimism as they’ve had the entire season, but it remains to be seen how a fully healthy Sixers core stacks up against quality, healthy competition.

For now, Sixers fans can feel hopeful about competing against the other top teams in the East, but they have a ditch to dig themselves out of first due to their early flat-tire of a season.

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