The Philadelphia 76ers took the court at home Thursday night, looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the Knicks on Tuesday. Next up on their schedule was a matchup with the Cade Cunningham-less Detroit Pistons.
While the Pistons might have caused a minor scare, the Sixers managed to get back in the win column. They held on to their lead down the stretch and secured a 110-102 victory. Here are three key observations for the 76ers.
Philadelphia 76ers Observations vs Pistons
1) Tyrese Maxey settling in at point guard
One of the main adjustments the 76ers have had to make this year is molding Tyrese Maxey into a point guard. With Ben Simmons out of the lineup, the second-year guard has been tasked with being the maestro of the Sixers' offense.
As some expected, there have been growing pains as Maxey continues to refine this element of his game. That said, his performance against the Pistons was an example of how things are coming along. Not only did Maxey score 16 points, but dished a team-high six assists as well.
The key for Maxey has been finding the happy balance between scorer and facilitator, and he did a good job of that Thursday. He regularly got downhill and was able to make plays for himself and others.
After the game, Maxey said the game is starting to slow down for him at point guard. His performance against the Pistons was by far his best since the season-opener against the Pelicans.
2) Joel Embiid returns to form
To put it simply, Joel Embiid did not look like himself against the Knicks Tuesday. It was clear the All-Star center was out of sorts and possibly dealing with some pain in his injured knee. If his knee was still giving him trouble Thursday, he had a funny way of showing it.
This matchup with the Pistons was a perfect opportunity for Embiid to get back on track, and he did just that. The MVP runner-up ended the night with 30 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, both game-highs.
Embiid's knee injury has become a growing topic in recent days but appeared to be a non-issue in their win Thursday night. Seeing him look like his usual self is a major positive for the 76ers, as they will need him at his best if they want to stay competitive and at the top of the East.
3) Shake Milton doesn't miss a beat
After rolling his ankle during training camp and being sidelined, Shake Milton finally made his season debut Thursday night. Not only did he make his return, but he quickly reminded everyone of the punch he can bring off the bench.
In 16 minutes of action, Milton racked up 13 points and five assists. He shot an efficient 5/10 from the field and connected on two of his three attempts from beyond the arc. Not a bad night at the office for a guy who had yet to suit up in a game this season.
The bench unit has already impressed to start the year, and now is only going to get better. Not only is Doc Rivers getting another ballhandler at his disposal, but a guy who can score points in bunches when he gets going. Given the circumstances, this was about a near-perfect return to action for Milton.
Follow Us
Subscribe