Big 3 this, Big 3 that — look at VJ Edgecombe, man.
Despite blowing a seven-point lead in the last two minutes of regulation, the Sixers snapped their three-game losing streak, knocking off the Memphis
Grizzlies 139-136 Tuesday night.
VJ Edgecombe erased a foul trouble-plagued slow start, finishing with 25 points on 10-of-21 shooting including the three to put them ahead with 1.7 seconds left in OT. He also put up four assists and four steals.
Tyrese Maxey had another absurdly efficient start, going for a team-high 34 shooting 12-of-19 from the floor. Back in the lineup, Joel Embiid went for 34 as well, doing so on 11-of-28 shooting along with eight assists in a season-high 38 minutes.
Paul George made his way to 17 points going 6-of-17 from the floor. Ja Morant led all scorers with 40.
Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.
First Quarter
- It’s cool that NBC shows you the starting lineup introductions from the arena, the way players introduce themselves like Sunday Night Football is a good touch as well. A whole-ass commercial break after it is not worth it though. Starting games well after the announced time is easily the most annoying problem in the NBA and it’s only gotten worse on these new platforms.
- The Sixers looked like they opened the game in between a Christmas and New Year’s malaise. A couple of jumpers rimming out sapped their energy and Memphis made seven of their first eight shots on the other end of the floor. It didn’t take much more than a simple drive and kick to get a lot of those looks wide open.
- A timeout was called early, but it did allow them to settle in offensively. Embiid’s gravity helped them get some good looks of their own. He picked up two assists in his first shift.
- Of course no one loves playing off Embiid more than Maxey, who took a couple minutes to get his first shot up but went on to make five of his first six. The Sixers needed every bit of his self-creation as they hadn’t really found a way to slow Memphis down yet as they dropped 40 in the quarter and jumped out to a six-point lead.
Second Quarter
- They didn’t quite tighten up defensively, but they did get some quality offensive minutes with George and Embiid on the floor together. Embiid was able to roll into his midrange, and not only was PG able to contribute with his jumper, but cut his way to the hoop and finished a tough layup over JJJ as well.
- Almost everyone had to be calling him a madman when he tried it, but Embiid attempted the self lob off the backboard for the first time since the 2024 playoffs in New York. He missed the dunk but popped up just fine, hitting a smooth jumper from the nail then assisting Maxey with his classic drop pass on ensuing possessions. As good as the offense looked it was just enough to barely keep pace with Memphis still making just about every shot and Cedric Coward scooping up their rare misses.
- For as much as they were rolling for much of the quarter, the offense ended on a weird lull. They had only made one field goal over the last 3:48, a breakaway layup that came from a steal. Their shots generated weren’t bad, it just doesn’t help that both PG and Quentin Grimes are in extended shooting slumps. That was all until Maxey swished a three-point attempt, a heave he had to throw up after failing to draw a foul, to tie the game right before the break.
Third Quarter
- Like the first two quarters, it took the Sixers a couple minutes to get going and those were minutes they didn’t really have to spare with how many points they continued to give up. It was the fourth game in a row of them just looking slower on the perimeter. Even during the worst season of his career, Ja Morant was able to get what he wanted on drives, making six of his first eight shots.
- The offense still had plenty of counters to catch up. This time it was Dominick Barlow playing well off of Embiid. After getting rewarded for a cut early in the game, Barlow continued to go back to that well and Embiid continued to find him. Barlow has just seemed to time up perfectly when the defense has committed to Embiid’s shot and is able to flash to open spots.
- For as much as they struggled in so many areas defensively, the Sixers still managed to cause disruption. They had 12 steals to account for 14 Memphis turnovers, giving them the shot advantage despite having offensive rebounding issues. A pair of pick-6s from Grimes and Edgecombe not only brought them back but put them in front. Embiid fighting for a couple boards to put back his own miss helped and a block from Adem Bona on the other end helped them preserve a three-point lead.
Fourth Quarter
- A Grimes corner three was an ideal start to the quarter, Embiid continued to dominate the Grizzlies’ smaller look, but Morant’s shift lasted longer to start the fourth and carried his team just as much. He scored the first 11 for Memphis that erased what slim breathing room the Sixers had created.
- It is so cool to say this has been a staple for Edgecombe so far in his young career. He was in no type of rhythm early when he had to sit for most of the first half with foul trouble. He made some huge plays in the second half defensively, then his offense came around for some big baskets as well. On top of his three steals he completely smothered Jaylen Wells for a devastating block, before hitting a couple threes to give the Sixers their largest lead of the night.
- After a layup from Edgecombe, the Sixers went into lull and many of their mistakes were self imposed turnovers. Memphis continued to keep themselves within striking distance with Morant looking like his old self on drives, while Embiid picked up his fourth and fifth fouls. Edgecombe got stuffed at the rim and Maxey missed a midrange jumper he pulled up for way too quickly, and a Morant floater tied the game with a minute to go.
- Out of a timeout, the Sixers dropped it into Embiid in the post. He kicked it to a wide open George in the corner when the double came, but the shit went halfway down and out. The ensuing rebound caused a jump ball that Memphis won, but fumbled out of bounds giving possession back to the Sixers.
- Memphis tried to challenge the play, but Bill Kennedy thoroughly explained that Maxey didn’t foul Morant. The Sixers went next to a pick-and-pop three for Embiid, but that didn’t go either. Morant couldn’t get Grimes switched off of him, and was forced to kick out to Wells. His three missed as did Santi Aldama’s with time expiring after Coward got the offensive rebound.
Overtime
- Their early chances to take the lead didn’t lead to any good looking shots, but any time the Grizzlies threatened to end the game with a basket or two Embiid or Maxey were able to get a good shot for themselves. They did take the lead with an Embiid jumper with a minute left but after missing two jumpers, Morant tied the game with a layup with 18 seconds remaining.
- After a timeout Maxey dribbled most of the clock out. The double came when Edgecombe came with the screen and Edgecombe slipped it, Maxey kicked it to him and he buried a three with 1.7 seconds left. The kid has made winning plays all season and already has two game winners to his name. Coward was brilliant all night and got a pretty good look to tie, but only one rookie had a heroic shot in him tonight.
