SALT LAKE CITY — The foul name because the shot clock wound down drew a problem from Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy, then boos from the house crowd on the whistle, then applause when Paul Georges missed the primary free throw.
However the 76ers’ perennial All-Star sank the second try, then cut up one other pair on his group’s subsequent possession. Tyrese Maxey added two extra with 2.4 seconds left, serving to the Sixers overcome a gradual begin to safe a 114-111 victory Saturday night time at Delta Middle.
That is the Sixers’ ninth win of their final 12 video games, persevering with their general optimistic momentum that has largely coincided with gaining well being and continuity. They beat the rebuilding Jazz regardless of being out-rebounded, 48-32, and permitting Utah to get into the paint with relative ease on inside finishes, lobbed passes, and putbacks for three-point makes an attempt .
And that included some late drama, when Lauri Markkanen made a three-pointer to carry the Jazz inside 112-111 with 4.1 seconds left, earlier than Maxey’s closing free throws.
Joel Embiid completed with 32 factors, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals – together with the go-ahead layup with lower than two minutes to play – after getting into the sport listed as questionable to play with a left foot sprain and fractured proper leg. sinus. Maxey added 32 factors, six assists and two steals. George’s 13 factors and 5 steals got here after he spent a good portion of the second half with 5 fouls. Guerschon Yabusele had 12 factors, seven rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes coming off the bench.
The Sixers erased a six-point deficit with about seven minutes remaining when Utah’s Walker Kessler transformed an alley-oop dunk by way of contact. Embiid was naturally on the epicenter of the mini-rally, with an inside end after which an old school three-point play to carry the Sixers inside 101-100 with lower than 5 minutes to play.
Later, Embiid batted away a lob try to Kessler on the defensive finish, then by some means despatched the ball falling to Maxey for a late three-pointer that put the Sixers up 105 -103 with 3:03. play. Embiid then hit a mid-range jumper to provide the Sixers a 110-108 benefit with lower than two minutes remaining.
Going into the sport, the Sixers appeared just like the group that had performed eight of their final 9 video games on the street, whereas the Jazz appeared just like the group that was coming off their finest win of the season towards the Boston Celtics on Christmas . The Sixers led 42-28 early within the second quarter, earlier than responding with a 20-5 run, together with a behind-the-back go from George to Maxey for a one-handed dunk that gave them a three-point benefit. factors.
The Sixers proceed their swing within the Western Convention on Monday on the Portland Path Blazers (10 p.m., NBCSP), earlier than a return match towards the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.