3 observations after Embiid’s 37 points, Oubre’s 8 steals help Sixers blow out Blazers

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3 observations after Embiid’s 37 points, Oubre’s 8 steals help Sixers blow out Blazers originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers enjoyed an unusually routine, comfortable victory Monday night in Portland.

With a 125-103 decision over the Trail Blazers, they built their winning streak to four games and improved to 13-17 on the season.

Joel Embiiid posted a season-high 37 points and nine rebounds. Tyrese Maxey scored 23 points. Both stars were highly efficient; the duo totaled its 60 points on just 34 field goal attempts.

Kelly Oubre Jr. provided 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting, five rebounds and a career-high eight steals. He came one steal short of tying the Sixers’ all-time record for a regular-season game. Before Oubre’s performance, no Sixer had tallied eight steals in a game since Robert Covington on Nov. 27, 2015.

The Sixers had five players out with injuries in Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgery), KJ Martin (left foot stress reaction), Andre Drummond (left toe sprain), Kyle Lowry (right hip soreness) and Eric Gordon (oral surgery).

They’ll aim to keep winning on the West Coast when they play the Kings on Wednesday night. Here are observations on the Sixers’ victory over the Blazers:

New week, same Maxey

The bounces were not friendly for the Sixers in a sloppy first couple of minutes.

Maxey’s three-pointer went in and out, Paul George missed a layup and Embiid didn’t receive two whistles that he expected down low. Eventually, Caleb Martin broke the ice with a corner three.

It took Maxey little time to swipe a steal, as he’s done in every single game this season, and he jetted the other way for an and-one layup. The Sixers created five Blazers turnovers in under five minutes.

The reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Maxey was easily the Sixers’ best player in the first quarter, scoring 11 points on 3-for-5 shooting. He played nearly 11 minutes in his first stint and, thanks largely to the very rare luxury this season of watching a blowout win conclude from the bench, finished with “just” 36.

Maxey’s consistent production has been central to the Sixers’ 10-3 run over their…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/3-observations-embiids-37-points-062434381.html

Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2024-12-31 06:24:00

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