In The Post: Maxey Leads Sixers to Win Over Raptors
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: Tyrese Maxey #0 and James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers speak in a break against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on October 26, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Philadelphia 76ers picked up a much-needed win over the Toronto Raptors, 112-90. Splitting the two-game series and improving their record to 2-4 after six games.
- The Sixers were without their All-Star Joel Embiid on Friday night in Toronto due to right knee injury recovery. Reserve guard De’Anthony Melton got the start in Embiid’s place with P.J. Tucker sliding over to the five for a small ball lineup. The lineup adjustment helped. Fueled by third-year guard Tyrese Maxey who was perfect from the floor in the first half going 10 for 10 from the field and 7 for 7 from distance, totaling a game-high 27 points in less than 22 minutes of action. The Raptors tried a number of different defenses to slow down the talented Maxey – zones, double teams, and a box-and-one? Nothing worked as he was simply too much for the hosts from Canada. A career-best, 44 points for the young guard. He went 15 for 20 from the floor and drilled nine of his 12 three-point attempts. A tremendous performance.
- One of the adjustments that seemed like an obvious call, was giving some minutes to fourth-year wing Matisse Thybulle. After seeing the floor for just an average of one and a half minutes through four games, head coach Doc Rivers called Thybulle’s number as the first reserve off the bench. With the 76ers struggling to get stops on the perimeter in the first few games, his defensive presence has been much needed but hasn’t seen any action. On Friday night, not only was his defense and athleticism on display, but he was a willing shooter, knocking down two of his four attempts from beyond. The team has been missing that skill set as one of the true athletes on the team. The two-time All-NBA second-team defender should see his playing time increase going forward.
- Philadelphia led at the half by 17 points, 65-48. The break in the action was not kind to them in the third quarter, recording their lowest output of the evening with just 16 points in the frame. The Raptors closed the gap to six with 2:35 to play in the quarter, but the 76ers found a way to keep to extend the lead to 11 at the end of the third.
- The James Harden, Maxey, and Melton trio needs to stay. That three-guard lineup has only done positive things so far this season.
The four-game road trip continues on Saturday night as the 76ers visit the 3-3 Chicago Bulls. Both teams will be playing on the second night of the back-to-back with the Bulls falling to the San Antonio Spurs, 129-124.
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