Picture: Eric Canha-Imagn Photos
It was a little bit of a curler coaster on Christmas evening, however the Sixers in the end despatched the Massholes dwelling with an enormous lump of coal after a 118-114 street win over the Celtics. Tyrese Maxey had 33 factors and Caleb Martin, a career-high seven, scored three factors. Joel Embiid survived a pregame damage wherein he stepped on a safety guard’s foot and the Sixers have now received eight of their final 11 video games:
The Sixers are coming 👀 pic.twitter.com/cP3EkiyGjb
– NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 26, 2024
Okay, so three of these wins got here towards the Charlotte Hornets. The Pistons and Bulls stink. However San Antonio is an effective staff, Orlando is an effective staff and the Celtics are the defending champions, so it was clearly the very best win of the season. Embiid, Maxey and Paul George all performed for the second straight recreation, and also you’re beginning to see what this staff may seem like if they might keep wholesome and maintain everybody on the courtroom. If Tyrese is taking 20+ photographs per recreation and operating the offense (and taking part in like a famous person), you then’re not relying on Embiid to be the man he was final 12 months or the 12 months earlier than. He can accept 15 subject purpose makes an attempt, set screens, patrol the paint defensively, get to the foul line 6-8 occasions, and take care of knee and face and all the opposite accidents that come up on the pike. In case you get an enormous recreation each evening towards simply one among Martin, Kelly Oubre, or Guerschon Yabusele, then you’ll win sufficient video games to make the playoffs.
The Sixers are presently 11-17 and are one recreation out of the ultimate play-in spot. Keep in mind, it’s important to be an entire fool to overlook the playoffs within the fashionable NBA. If they will get again to .500, they’re going to get in. They completed seventh final 12 months with a 47-35 report, however the Bulls and Hawks had been properly beneath .500 and earned play-in spots. In case you take a look at the East this season, the Wizards, Raptors, Hornets, and Nets are going completely nowhere. There are solely 3.5 video games separating sixth and tenth, so the Sixers can flip issues round fairly shortly right here. If we’re being sincere with ourselves, the No. 6 seed may be very possible and would probably arrange a first-round matchup towards the Knicks or Magic. Who mentioned no to that? The objectives are nonetheless achievable, and whereas we proceed to maintain the Sixers at bay, we’ll stay cautiously optimistic about their prospects for the 12 months forward.
