Sixers secure 121-109 victory over Atlanta

The Sixers had been in a position to bounce again at residence after they welcomed the Atlanta Hawks to city Saturday night time. Regardless of letting the Hawks lower a 27-point lead right down to single digits, the Sixers held on, 121-109. Joel Embiid was dominant within the midrange, dropping 42 factors and 6 assists, each season-highs.

Listed here are some instantaneous takeaways from the win.

First Quarter

• The Sixers picked up the place they left off on Thursday, by leaving all the things within the arms of Joel Embiid. The massive fella scored Philly’s first 10 factors of the sport and shot 5-7 within the opening body. Embiid has typically fared properly towards Clint Capela in his profession, and Hawks had been pressured to again him up with Frank Kaminsky within the absence of Onyeka Okongwu, a really favorable matchup for the Sixers.

• Philly was in a position to benefit from some sloppy basketball from the Hawks early, as they despatched the Sixers to the road 10 occasions within the first. The Sixers additionally bought some early bench contributions, as Furkan Korkmaz got here off the bench with six first quarter factors, and Danuel Home Jr. bought the group on its toes with a dunk over Kaminsky. Sadly for Korkmaz, he would go away the sport within the second with a knee damage, however the Sixers 37-point first gave them a 13-point lead early.

Second Quarter

• Tobias Harris began off the second very robust, placing up 10 of his 21 to begin the quarter because the Sixers lead ballooned to as a lot as 18. Tyrese Maxey appeared to search out his taking pictures contact once more, as he put up 14 factors on 5-7 taking pictures within the first half. Maxey would end with 26 factors on 65.8 % true taking pictures. Every thing appeared to be working for the Sixers offensively within the first half, they shot 58 % from the sphere within the half.

• If there was one unfavourable to the half, it was Joel Embiid rolling his ankle halfway by means of the second. Regardless of not popping out of the sport, he gave the impression to be taking part in some although ache. It could possibly be nothing, but additionally could possibly be price keeping track of if it lingers.

Third Quarter

• Even in video games the Sixers have performed properly on this yr, they’ve tended to hit a lull within the third quarter. Tonight, the lull got here on the finish of the quarter. The Sixers dominated many of the third, stretching the result in as a lot as 27 (Hey the place have I seen that earlier than?). Philly bought sloppy, permitting Atlanta to chop the lead right down to as little as 10. A well timed four-point play from Georges Niang gave the Sixers a 15-point cushion going into the fourth.
• Whereas the Hawks had been simply barely preserving scoring tempo with the Embiid-Harris-Maxey trio for many of the third, the Sixers continued to get some strong bench contributions. Shake Milton got here in and gave them 11 factors, together with some actually nifty finishes across the rim.

Fourth Quarter

• Because the second half wore on, the Sixers started to look an increasing number of just like the Sixers from three or 4 years in the past. Paul Reed didn’t have his greatest night time, as Philly was hemorrhaging factors with Embiid on the bench. There wasn’t a lot happening offensively both within the second half, as Trae Younger lower the result in single digits with just below six minutes left.
• Even after they led by as a lot as 27, the Sixers nonetheless discovered a solution to really feel dangerous about this loss. With the Jazz coming into city tomorrow, it could have been an incredible alternative to get some additional relaxation for Embiid. As a substitute, he needed to come again to the sport, logging one other 40-minute night time. Nonetheless, the Sixers had been in a position to get the dagger they wanted, and it got here from Matisse Thybulle of all individuals.