3 observations after Sixers earn narrow victory over Jazz, win 9th game in last 12

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3 observations after Sixers earn narrow victory over Jazz, win 9th game in last 12 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

For the first time in the 2024-25 season, the Sixers can say they have a three-game winning streak.

They squeaked past the Jazz on Saturday night, earning a 114-111 victory in Utah and moving to 12-17 on the year. The Sixers have won nine of their last 12 games.

Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points apiece. Paul George had a fifth consecutive subpar shooting game (13 points on 4-for-11 shooting) and dealt with foul trouble, but he nabbed a season-high five steals.

Lauri Markkanen posted 23 points and Collin Sexton and Brice Sensabaugh recorded 20 each for the Jazz, who dropped to 7-23.

The Sixers were without Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgery), KJ Martin (left foot stress reaction), Andre Drummond (left toe sprain) and Eric Gordon (oral surgery). Utah’s Keyonte George, John Collins and Taylor Hendricks were sidelined by injuries.

Embiid played after being listed as questionable with a “left foot sprain and right sinus fracture — mask” designation.

The Sixers will continue their end-of-year West Coast swing when they play the Trail Blazers on Monday night. Here are observations on their win over Utah:

Nothing like the Sixers’ start in Boston 

Though they played the same starting lineup, the Sixers did not duplicate the first-quarter success of their Christmas win over the Celtics.

George opened the scoring with a top-of-the-key triple, tying Vince Carter for ninth place on the NBA’s all-time made three-pointers list. (George passed Carter when he sunk a three early in the third quarter.)

Following that first George bucket, the Jazz went on a 12-0 run. The Sixers lacked energy, settled for several jumpers and allowed five early offensive rebounds to the Jazz, who have been one of the NBA’s top teams in that department. When the Sixers shifted to zone defense, Markkanen knocked down a corner three-pointer to lift Utah to a 23-9 lead.

Embiid drew two early fouls against Jazz center Walker Kessler, who wound up accumulating four in the first half. The Sixers’…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/3-observations-sixers-earn-narrow-053543005.html

Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2024-12-29 06:32:00

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