3 observations after the Sixers earn a close victory over the Jazz and win their 9th game in the last 12 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
For the first time in the 2024-25 season, the Sixers can say they have three consecutive victories.
They beat the Jazz on Saturday night, earning a 114-111 victory in Utah and improving to 12-17 on the year. The Sixers have won nine of their last 12 games.
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey each scored 32 points. Paul George had a fifth straight below-average shooting game (13 points on 4-for-11 shooting) and faced foul trouble, but he threw a season-high five steals.
Lauri Markkanen scored 23 points and Collin Sexton and Brice Sensabaugh recorded 20 each for the Jazz, who fell 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 with injuries.
Embiid played after being listed as questionable with a ‘left foot sprain and rmild sinus fracture — mask” designation.
The Sixers will continue their end-of-year swing on the West Coast when they take on the Trail Blazers on Monday night. Here are some observations from their win against Utah:
Nothing compares to the departure of the Sixers in Boston
Despite playing the same starting lineup, the Sixers did not replicate the success of their first quarter. Christmas victory against the Celtics.
George opened the scoring with a triple, tying Vince Carter for ninth place in the standings. The NBA’s all-time three-point list. (George passed Carter when he made a three early in the third quarter.)
After that first bucket from George, the Jazz went on a 12-0 run. The Sixers lacked energy, settled for several jump shots and allowed five early offensive rebounds to the Jazz, who were one of the best teams in the NBA in this department. When the Sixers switched to zone defense, Markkanen hit a corner three-pointer to put Utah up 23-9.
Embiid picked up two early fouls against Jazz center Walker Kessler, who ended up racking up four in the first half. The Sixers superstar missed some good looks in the first quarter in and around the paint, however.
On the Sixers side, Kelly Oubre Jr. also committed two fouls during his first stint. Maxey-Oubre’s starting backcourt was scoreless until two Maxey free throws with 16.9 seconds left in the first quarter.
Dominant second quarter for Maxey and Embiid
The Maxey-Embiid duo took control of the game in the second quarter, teaming up on almost every offensive possession.
The Sixers countered Utah’s pressure on one play by having Embiid set a bright screen for Maxey, and the All-Star guard nailed a three. After Maxey served Embiid on the short roll, the big man found Oubre cutting across the baseline for a layup.
Embid and Maxey were also very effective at drawing fouls. They combined to make 14 of 16 from the free throw line in the first half. Meanwhile, the Jazz attempted just two free throws as a team in the first two quarters.
Maxey and Embiid didn’t do it alone. For good reason, Guerschon Yabusele played almost 11 consecutive minutes during his first stint. He grabbed two offensive rebounds on missed free throws in the first half and also added seven points on 2-for-2 shooting, including a corner three.
George scored his fourth steal after a clever double sneak attack on Markkanen. He then threw a quick behind-the-back pass to Maxey, whose left slam gave the Sixers a 48-45 advantage.
The power of the stars wins in the end
The Sixers started the second half poorly, letting Utah regain the lead, and George then ran into serious foul trouble.
George was whistled for his fourth foul with 5:42 left in the third quarter. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse kept him in the game, which didn’t pay off at all. Seventeen seconds later, George got his fifth game while trying to grab a defensive rebound.
With Embiid and George off the court, the Sixers defense lost a lot of points. Even with Reggie Jackson and Yabusele hitting three-pointers off the bench, the Sixers were trailing by the time their Big 3 were back on the court together.
Ultimately, their star power was decisive. Down six points, the Sixers immediately got five in a row from Embiid in the post against Kessler.
Embiid made an important defensive play late by intercepting a lobbed pass intended for Kessler. On the ensuing possession, Embiid stumbled to the ground but managed to spot Maxey open in the corner. He drained a go-ahead three and buried another massive triple shortly after. The Sixers took a 110-108 lead on an Embiid elbow jumper assisted by Maxey.
Two successful nursing challenges in the final minute helped the Sixers secure the victory, although George missed two late free throws and Markkanen made three that kept some suspense going in the final seconds.
However, Maxey converted a pair of foul shots, Embiid completed a desperation long-range pass from Drew Eubanks and the Sixers extended their winning streak.
