Without the Harden / Embiid duo, the Sixers beat the Kings!

James Harden and Joel Embiid rested for the fifth and final game of the “road trip” West of the Sixers, we did not give much skin from Philadelphia to Sacramento.

A feeling was confirmed in the first half as the Kings offense went full throttle to build a 21-point lead (71-50) in the second quarter. An early push from Tyrese Maxey, well-assisted by Georges Niang and Danuel House Jr. on the outside, as well as Montrezl Harrell inside, would limit the break (74-64) at halftime and not put Doc Rivers’ squad out of the game. the game.

A sequence that would set the tone for the second half with an aggressive Sixers who would take advantage of Harrison’s loss of offensive rhythm to attack Mike Brown’s defense near the Kings circle. Barnes and company to benefit!

But the Kings (this season) have their pride, and De’Aaron Fox will still shine in the fourth quarter to avoid this unwanted loss.

It failed because the Sixers would always find a free-throw basket by Georges Niang or Tyrese Maxey on the money, and Harrison Barnes still had three free throws to tie the game at the end. With one exception, the first is missed and he must miss the third to hope for a miracle. Which will not happen (127-129).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– The lead with 21 points goes away. This team is very difficult to maneuver when Sacramento’s shooters move quickly. In the second quarter, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter were hot and the Kings were able to lead by as many as 21 points. Unfortunately, skill isn’t everything in basketball, and when the shooters went cold, the Royals struggled to find other weapons.

– The kings ate paint. Because this Sacramento team could be the nice surprise of the season, it clearly lacks fear under the circle. Domantas Sabonis is not a protector of the basket and can do a lot of damage quickly when his teammates are beaten in the first steps of the matchup. The Sixers’ 70-point performance in the Rockets, with a clear advantage in rebounding (45 to 29, including 16 offensive rebounds for Philadelphia) made the difference…

– The Sixers continue. This five-game “road trip” ended in the best way for Philadelphia, with a fifth consecutive victory. Without James Harden and Joel Embiid, Doc Rivers’ army took advantage of Milwaukee’s recent failure to finish only 2nd in the East (30 wins – 16 losses).

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Tyrese Maxey. It was his aggressiveness that brought the Sixers back into the game and made the difference in the end. Aggressiveness that still makes him greedy (32 points, 6 assists on 12/29 shooting).

Sixers bench. In the absence of James Harden and Joel Embiid, Doc Rivers had minutes to distribute and his replacements took advantage. Not forgetting the impact of De’Anthony Melton and Montrezl Harrell, Danuel House Jr. and Georges Niang’s outside shooting, Paul Reed’s rebounding presence, or Shake’s energy, the contribution of the bench was decisive. Milton, who often finds the right offsets for his teammates.

✅ De’Aaron Fox. He took charge in the final quarter as his team attacked. His 14 points (31 points) in the final drive almost saved the Kings.

✅⛔️ Harrison Barnes. It’s a little difficult because he still ends up with 27 points. Showcased Sacramento’s offensive prowess when he went 5-of-6 for 17 points in the first half from long range. Very little exuberance after the break, bricks from distance and that missed shot hurts.

⛔️ Malik Rahib. He’s clearly not in a good time, and it doesn’t help Mike Brown much when he makes (and misses) those forced, out-of-team shots.

⛔️ Matisse Thybulle. Citation for a foul on Harrison Barnes on the 3-pointer that gave his opponent the equalizer. Admittedly, the referees have been generous with the Sacramento winger, but Matisse Thybulle continues to take reckless defensive risks on crucial possessions.

NEXT

Sacramento (26-19): The Kings continue against the Grizzlies, Monday night (4:30), still at home

Philadelphia (30-16): Homecoming to challenge the Nets, Wednesday night (1:30)