PHILADELPHIA — After a convincing win over a Giannis-less Bucks squad on Tuesday, the Sixers returned to their home court to host DeMar DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night.
Sacramento came into the night on a six-game losing streak and with the third-worst record in the NBA, but in this league, teams cannot afford to overlook their opponents, after the Sixers have frequently been reminded.
Philadelphia started off strong enough with impressive offensive performances by Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. The Sixers won both the first and second quarters, leading by six at the half. Nearly every facet of the Sixers' game was efficient, except for a clear lack of effort on defense and in the rebounding battle.
As the game progressed, the Sixers' level of effort only seemed to get worse and worse. Philadelphia was on the losing end of a 10-point deficit in the third quarter and found themselves down four entering the fourth.
The Kings continued their red-hot offensive streak in the final quarter, opening the fourth on an 11-4 run, causing a storm of boos to brew in the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Finally, the Sixers would respond, going on a 7-0 run over the next two and a half minutesm trimming the lead back down to four.
Philadelphia ratcheted up their defensive play, doubling and suffocating the ball on that end. As they have throughout the season, the Sixers took their game to a completely new level in the fourth, flipping the switch as they've been known to do all year.
With the game tied and seconds remaining, Tyrese Maxey sank the game-winning bucket off an Embiid dish in what was a beautiful play drawn up by head coach Nick Nurse. Maxey drew contact with the shot, heading to the free-throw line with the chance to put the Sixers up by three with 1.3 seconds left, but instead missed the free-throw, which made sure there was no chance to score after the rebound and the Sixers would win a close 113-111 game.
Tyrese Maxey led the way tonight for the Sixers with 40 points and the game-winner, while Embiid followed closely behind with 37. It was a struggle against an inferior opponent, but as they say, a win is a win.
The Sixers will remain in Philadelphia for one last game of this quick homestand, facing the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, Jan. 31. The team will honor its 2001 squad, which reached the NBA Finals.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
