Sixers – Nets: a true playoff game!

Poster of this “Rivals Week”, this match starts with many mistakes made, proof of the great tension between the players. In this little game, the Sixers are slightly ahead (13-7). This first quarter was very choppy with a lot of technical fouls and free throws. All in a boiling room. With more than correct 3-point addresses on both sides, the first quarter ended with a score of 41-41.

Tyrese Maxey caught fire early in the second quarter with a rude exterior address. With 16 points scored in just 10 minutes, he allowed Philadelphia to take a nine-point lead (61-52). The gap stabilized, and the Sixers returned to the locker room with a 10-point lead (75-65).

Former local glory, Ben Simmons let the Nets trail early in the third quarter, but James Harden kept going. The bearded man chained two 3-point baskets to give his team a 15-point lead (91-76). Brooklyn did not let go, and was able to finish the quarter under the bar by ten points (107-98).

Still hot, Tyrese Maxey put back 14 points in Philly’s lead on a 3-point basket. At the end of the time-out, the Nets signed an 8-0 run in one minute to get back to within 6 points (116-110). Another former Sixers, Seth Curry brought Brooklyn to Philadelphia by scoring five consecutive points (120-120).

James Harden then took matters into his own hands: he scored two consecutive 3-point shots to allow the Sixers to breathe (128-122). Nic Claxton allowed Brooklyn to get back within two points with one minute left (131-129). Except Harden again gave Philadelphia a four-point lead with a lay-up with less than 30 seconds left (135-131). This will be the end of this game since the Sixers won, 137-133 for the 6th straight victory.

WHAT YOU SHOULD REMEMBER

– A very high intensity in the first quarter. In a playoffs environment, this first act is distinguished by the number of fouls committed. Result: a very volatile game with a lot of free throws, which made the match less fluid and more chaotic. Everyone had a shower of technical fouls, for James Harden, Joel Embiid, Nic Claxton but also for Jacque Vaughn. Proof that this first quarter is under very high tension.

– The Sixers are chasing the Celtics. Sixth straight victory for the Sixers, only 2nd in the East, and a bit closer to the Celtics, who are on a two-game losing streak. All in almost universal indifference.

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Maxey tires. Big game from him off the bench, with 27 points on 8/14 shooting including 6/9 from 3-pointers. The MVP of the match.

✅James Harden. He played with control, distributing the game as usual and making things happen when needed: 23 points on 5/10 from 3-pointers as well as 7 assists.

✅ Kyrie Irving. Consistent with his last outings, he once again showed off his talent with 30 points on 9/15 shooting but also 10 assists.

✅ Seth Curry. Steph is wearing Seth! The former Sixer was absolutely on fire off the bench with 32 points on 7/10 from 3-point range.

✅ Nic Claxton. He confirmed his excellent form at the moment with 25 points on 11/12 shooting but also had 11 rebounds.

⛔️ PJ Tucker. Used very little or not at all, he looked like a loser on this team with only one shot attempted the entire game. But with the Sixers winning…

THE FOLLOWING

Sixers (31-16): welcoming the Nuggets on Saturday (9 pm).

Nets (29-18): back-to-back at home against the Pistons (1h30).