By: Kylan Watson
After an up and down weekend the Philadelphia 76ers faced off with the surging Houston Rockets for the last game of their three-game home stand. The Sixers and Rockets traded blows throughout this game, despite Philly fighting valiantly the Rockets used a Sengun explosion to beat them 122-115 in overtime.
The Sixers started this game off hot they were able to knock down their shots early in this contest and keep up with Houston’s explosive offense. They were able to hold Alperen Sengun in check throughout this game and make it difficult on him. That kept them in this game and gave them enough time for Tyrese Maxey (39 points, had 10 assists, and five steals) and Guerschon Yabusele (22 points and made 4/6 three-pointers in the contest) to takeover this contest. They combined for 61 of the Sixers 122 points and dominated this contest.
Maxey in particular was able to get a late foul at the three-point line and made all three free throws to send this game into overtime. He was the majority of Philly’s offense throughout the entire second half as he scored 22 of his 39 points during that point in the contest. Additionally, Maxey’s prowess for steals showed up in this contest as he stole the ball five times in this contest, that is a new career high for him. This is a huge improvement for him one of the knocks on his game was that he was not a good defender. His continued improvement has made him one of the best defenders the Sixers have.
Maxey continuing to make strides on the defensive end, will help Philly save their season and get back into championship contention. They just did not have enough to contend with the Rockets in this contest, but they showed better fight and effort than they did on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Despite the explosion from Maxey and Yabusele the Rockets had an answer for it and that was Jalen Green going off throughout this game. He scored 41 points in this contest and his athleticism blew up the Sixers defensive scheme. Without Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Caleb Martin on the floor there was not enough size to keep him from attacking the paint at will. That was the difference in this game, the Rockets got the baskets when it mattered most and the Sixers could not get anything easy from the field. Despite the explosion from Green the Sixers were able to overcome the Rockets dominating the majority of this game and take this game to overtime.
However, the Sixers only scored two baskets during the overtime period while got a few baskets from Sengun to pull them ahead. During the period Sengun used his athleticism to create a very well contested lay-up where he shot the ball over three Sixers defenders and it still went in. That was the kind of the night it was for the Rockets it did not matter if the shot was easy or difficult they cashed in on the opportunity. Philly just could not find any answers for the Rockets in this contest, and that is indicative of this entire season.
The Sixers just are not healthy enough to fully compete with higher level competition in the association right now. As they prepare for a two-game road trip they have to do all they can to get healthier and build that chemistry, because they will need to be better as a team to overcome the 3-14 hole they are currently in.
Philly will now prepare to face the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night another young and athletic team, that can blow the Sixers defensive scheme up if they allow it. Philly will need to cash in on the high percentage shooting opportunities created off their ball movement. They did it in spurts tonight, but will need to continue to cash in on those opportunities to get their fourth win of the season.
In addition, the Sixers need to get another player to become the third and fourth scorer in the absence of Joel Embiid and Paul George. That was Jared McCain but clearly teams are actively trying to hold him down, and have done an excellent job of it in the last few games. Philly needs someone else to join Maxey, Yabusele, and McCain in finding their offensive rhythm and when that happens they will start to win games more consistently. Implementing these things into their gameplan on Saturday night should put Philly in great position to win their fourth game of the season against the Pistons.