Maxey Shines as Sixers Cruise Past Mavericks 123-108
Last night in Dallas, the Philadelphia 76ers secured a 123-108 victory over the Mavericks, led by a near triple-double performance from Tyrese Maxey. Maxey was simply everywhere on the court, finishing with 34 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, and two steals. It was a performance that showed just how vital he has become to this team. The Sixers improved to 18-14 on the season, while the Mavericks slipped to 12-23.
The game didn’t start perfectly for Philadelphia. For the third straight outing, the defense was slow out of the gate. Dallas opened the game on fire, hitting 9 of their first 10 shots and taking a 20-14 lead. Cooper Flagg capped a fast-break with a thunderous dunk, highlighting the problems the Sixers faced early. The paint was left too open, and 26 first-quarter points were allowed inside. Historically, the Sixers’ first-quarter defense has struggled, ranking 22nd in the NBA this season, while the fourth-quarter defense has been a league-best 104.3 rating.
Also Read:- Georgia and Ole Miss Set for a High-Stakes Sugar Bowl Rematch
- Georgia vs Ole Miss Sets the Stage for a Sugar Bowl Revenge Showdown
Once the second quarter began, though, the Sixers’ stars came alive. Maxey drove past Caleb Martin in a highlight-reel move, leaving his former teammate stumbling to the floor. Joel Embiid found Quentin Grimes for a corner three, and Paul George powered through the Mavericks’ defense for a thunderous dunk, energizing the team. By the end of the second quarter, the Sixers had built an 11-point lead, with V.J. Edgecombe contributing a long-range jumper. Edgecombe finished with 23 points, five rebounds, and four steals, marking his ninth career 20-point game. Grimes added eight points in the quarter, further helping to swing momentum toward Philadelphia.
The bench played a key role in closing out the win. Quentin Grimes, logging 38 minutes as the sixth man, was particularly impactful, finishing with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting, seven rebounds, and two assists. Jabari Walker returned to the rotation, while Adem Bona took over backup center duties in the second half, especially after Dominick Barlow picked up early foul trouble. Andre Drummond saw some minutes, but Bona and Embiid shared crucial stretches down the stretch.
Dallas made a push in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 94-90 with a Naji Marshall leaner. However, the Sixers responded with a series of clutch shots: Maxey continued to attack the rim, Embiid hit a tightly guarded mid-range jumper, and Grimes buried a wing three. Edgecombe’s defense and hustle were instrumental in shutting down the Mavericks’ late run, and the lead soon returned to double digits.
In the end, Philadelphia was able to ride Maxey’s all-around brilliance and contributions from their stars and bench to secure a much-needed road win. With the Sixers now 2-2 on their road trip, they’ll look to carry this momentum into Saturday’s matchup against the Knicks. It was a game that reminded everyone how dangerous this team can be when Maxey, Embiid, and company all click.
Read More:
0 Comments