In The Post: Sixers 104, Hawks 101
On the second night of a back-to-back, the Philadelphia 76ers were back home to host the Atlanta Hawks looking to extend their winning streak to three. These two teams have history after the memorable 2020 playoff series when the Hawks stunned the number one seed Sixers. Beating them in the 7-game series. Since then, they’ve had some really good regular season battles with both teams coming away with a victory – on Monday night in Philadelphia that trend continued with a down-to-the-wire win for the Sixers.
Here are a few takeaways from the game:
. Joel Embiid returned after a four-game absence to pace the Sixers in scoring with 30 points. Including eight rebounds and seven assists. It took him a while to get going and finding a rhythm with his teammates. But he really got it going in the second half. Especially down the stretch scoring the final 11 points for his team to complete their comeback (trailed by as much as 16). A key bucket by Embiid with Philadelphia trailing by one gave them a 101-100 lead. Followed by a great defensive play from Embiid in the final seconds. As he broke up a lob attempt from Trae Young to John Collins. The big fella secured the loose ball preventing the Hawks from getting another shot. And he hit both of his free throws. Good to see him back having an impact on both ends of the floor.
. 24 and a team-high 10 rebounds for Tobias Harris in the win has become the norm for the veteran forward. Just another solid, steady and efficient night. He seems really locked in. And a few plays need to be called for him when the starting five is at full strength.
. Shake Milton, who also started slow for the Sixers, took it upon himself to call his own number in the third quarter and the team needed tonight and will also look for that going forward. Eight points at the half. 11 in the third. 21 overall. Good stuff. This was his fourth game in a row over 20+ and has hit that number in five of the last six games.
. Head coach Doc Rivers and the coaching staff implemented a lot of zone in the game to disrupt things for Atlanta’s offense. During his postgame availability, Rivers mentioned that Miami went with 80 percent of that type of defense in their win over the Hawks on Sunday night. Great scouting job by the Sixers.
. In the second half the 76ers used their defense to turn things around and secure the win. Philadelphia turned the ball over six times in the final two quarters. Forcing the Hawks into 11 miscues leading to 13 points for Philadelphia. A total of 20 turnovers for Atlanta on the night, giving the home team 19 points.
The 76ers are starting to inch their way up in the East standings, now in the five seed after Monday night’s win with a 12-9 record. Next up will be the 13-8 Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday as the Sixers begin a new three-game road trip.