With Joel Embiid in a triple-double, Tyrese Maxey is putting together the Rockets

The start of the game was marked by a false rhythm set by the two teams. They move, shoot, exchange baskets, but ultimately, the game doesn’t really move (32-34). These are Sixers who decide, first, to step on the gas. Joel Embiid does the job on defense and helps start the run for his teammates. in front, Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson handle the day-to-day business. However, Philadelphia finished the first period best, with an 8-0 run and especially Tyrese Maxey’s poster on Jabari Smith Jr. (68-61).

When we come back from the locker room we defend harder, with a lot of contact and fists around. Paul George scores in the third quarter to keep his team ahead at the start of the final quarter (90-88). But the Rockets are struggling with Reid Shepard first hitting two consecutive 3-pointers, including one on the foul line. Houston has the wind at its back and is 12-0. Shepard then adds a new prize basket.

Victory seems to be heading for the men of Ime Udoka, but Tyrese Maxey is throwing his last strength into the battle. He connects on layups to get Philly back in the running. Tari Eason gets the point, we think, with two game-winning shots, but Maxey still has resources and the Sixers defend well in the final seconds. Let’s go to overtime (115-115). These five extra minutes were perfectly negotiated by Nick Nurse’s troops, while the Texans lose balls and are clumsy. The victory is therefore 128-122 for the locals.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Tyrese McKay’s spark. He didn’t have a big match until the last minutes. But the All-Star lit up the “time on the money” with his talent and speed, cutting through Houston’s defense, unable to cut off his access to the circle. He scored 11 points in the final quarter, then 6 in overtime, to finish with 36 points and 10 assists. If one man changed the date, it was him.

– Joel Embiid at Wilt Chamberlain. The 2023 MVP is pretty good in this role as a defensive pillar, as he could be as a late-career 100-point man with the Lakers. He’s always capable of scoring, but he’s made his presence felt primarily on defense, disrupting the opposing team’s penetration, especially in “money time,” and serving as a launching pad after the rebound is secured. The pivot collected 32 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in this stretch where he was very, very valuable.

– Kevin Durant needed a little more help on offense. The winger was terrific with his 36 points, even if he dropped 8 balls and missed two (available) shots for the overtime victory. However, he was very much on his own in promoting the brand. Tarry Eason and Reed Shepard scored in the final act, but were largely clumsy. And what about Jabari Smith Jr.? 13 points on 5/15 shooting including 1/10 on 3-pointers… Durant let a good shot slip away to serve him at times, for nothing. Alperen Sengun didn’t help much, getting stuck in his physical duel with Embiid. The Turk is giving up just 13 points on 5/14 shooting.

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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; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.