Joel Embiid (39 points) finds his best level against the Pacers!

That would be necessary Joel Embiid posted his best game of the season to get the Sixers back to winning ways against the still valiant Pacers. Pivot Philly was the big architect with his 39 points to make up for the absence of Tyrese Maxey (sick), with good support from VJ Edgecombe (22 points, 5 assists) and Paul George (23 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists)

Philadelphia initially had to struggle to get rid of Indiana in the first half. Apparently, VJ Edgecombe’s 14 points in the first quarter (34-31) and Joel Embiid’s outstanding relay, the author of the last seven points of the Sixers before the break, including his first of the night (63-58), were not enough to put away the striking Pacers, led by the McCawson-Hu-Tho three.

Indiana trailed all the way

With the same appetite, Joel Embiid allowed the Sixers to go +10 after returning from the locker room (79-69), but Indiana again succeeded rather than resisted, relying this time on Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam to catch up and even briefly take the lead at the end of the third quarter after two baskets by Nembhard (85-86).

The pressure increased on the shoulders of the Sixers, while the two teams were still next to each other at the beginning of “money time” (102-102). Then it took all the composure of Dominic Barlow, who was served inside by Paul George and all the lucidity of Joel Embiid to score 2+1 after an offensive rebound to turn the match around, while Rick Carlisle was penalized with a technical (108-102).

After two shots by Quentin Grimes, Paul George and Joel Embiid were able to finish the job and win a victory that took a long time to form (115-105).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Joel Embiid back on top. A gradual surge of 15 points in the second quarter fueled by his 3-pointer just before the buzzer. He continued in the second half with the same aggressiveness, and he managed to finish strongly with his offensive jump that turned the game to the right at the end of the match, at 105-102. His best game of the season, 39 points on 12/23 shooting, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in 30 minutes, almost without forcing. We expect nothing less from the 2023 MVP, who was left on a dismal 4/21 against the Lakers.

– Tyrese Maxey’s absence was handled well. Philadelphia was without its superstar point guard for the first time this season. The rest of the squad handled the challenge pretty well even if they had to struggle, with Joel Embiid’s 39 points of course, but not only that. Although he lost four balls, Paul George also contributed to the creation with 5 assists to relieve the Edgecombe-McCain-Grimes trio.

– Technical foul by Rick Carlyle. A symbol of the uncontrollable “money-time” of the Pacers, who received 12-2 at the worst moment, but also the revelation of the Indiana coach’s indignation before the whistles of the referee’s body, in this case because of the illegal foul by VJ Edgecombe on Andrew Nembhard at 10 Nembhard-102. With 43 free throws allowed in Philly compared to 19 in Indiana, Rick Carlisle will have plenty to argue…

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.