3 observations after record-setting Embiid stars in eighth straight win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Milestones keep tumbling and the NBA’s hottest team keeps winning.
Joel Embiid set a new Sixers franchise record for consecutive games with at least 30 points, exceeding that number for the ninth straight time Saturday night in a 141-121 victory over the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
He had 31 points on 10-for-15 shooting, seven assists, seven rebounds and two blocks in the Sixers’ eighth consecutive win.
Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points and Tobias Harris recorded 24.
Aaron Nesmith posted a career-high 25 points for the Pacers, who dropped to 32-39.
On the second night of a back-to-back, the 48-22 Sixers were down James Harden (injury recovery) and P.J. Tucker (left ankle soreness). Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin and Chris Duarte sat out with injuries.
Here are observations on the final Sixers win of a 3-0 road trip:
Melton a stellar replacement starter
The Sixers started De’Anthony Melton and Danuel House Jr. in place of Harden and Tucker. It was House’s third start as a Sixer and his first since Nov. 19.
Myles Turner scored Indiana’s first four points and the Sixers struggled early on both ends. Melton and House couldn’t connect in transition, wasting a fast-break chance. After House missed a reverse layup try, Jordan Nwora made a corner three-pointer to lift the Pacers to a 12-4 lead.
Sixers head coach Doc Rivers called timeout and his team immediately hit Indiana with a 14-0 run. That spurt included threes by Maxey, House and Harris, as well as a coast-to-coast Melton layup. The Sixers’ defense improved plenty, too. House did solid work on a possession against Turner in the post, forcing a well-contested miss, and Melton picked T.J. McConnell’s pocket twice. The 24-year-old turned the second theft into a buzzer-beating dunk that put the Sixers up 34-24. He’s clearly a nice player to have on the floor when you’re hoping to extend a few good possessions into a big, game-shifting run.
Story continues
In 34 high-quality minutes, Melton had 14 points, six steals, five…
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Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia
Publish date : 2023-03-19 01:38:00
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