Healthy Sixers String Together Wins as Embiid, George Remain in Lineup
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The Philadelphia 76ers have won three straight on the road, closing to within three games of second place in the Eastern Conference after finally fielding the same starting five—Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, rookie VJ Edgecombe and a fifth unnamed regular—in three consecutive contests.
“For three games, we have started the same five people,” head coach Nick Nurse said after Saturday’s victory at Madison Square Garden. “It’s been good to finally have some continuity.”
Embiid flashes MVP form
Embiid posted 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists against New York, adding his first dunk of the season—a sign his bothersome right knee may be improving. The reigning MVP was modest about the play, but teammates reacted differently. “I was so happy,” Maxey said, joking that Embiid now wants lob passes. “So I’m going to throw him a lob, and we’re going to see how that goes.”
Maxey’s two-way growth
While Maxey’s scoring has placed him in early All-NBA discussions, Nurse highlighted the guard’s defensive surge. Maxey is fourth in the league at 1.8 steals per game and has 28 blocks—five shy of his single-season best. “He’s been much better this year the whole way,” Nurse noted. “He’s into the ball, over screens, getting his share of turnovers.”
Rookie Edgecombe fitting in fast
Selected No. 3 overall amid pre-draft debate, Edgecombe is demonstrating a well-rounded game beyond his Baylor highlight reel. “He plays like a 10-year vet with his composure,” Nurse said. Edgecombe, meanwhile, is thrilled to share the court with established stars. “It’s like the little kid in me, playing alongside the superstars that I watched growing up,” he said.
Source: HoopsRumors
