The Sixers have advanced in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament following a home win over the Magic. I wrote about the scenes from the victory down in South Philadelphia already, so I’ll hit you all with a new column to keep that energy flowing…
It was ‘The Andre Drummond Game’
Before their matchup with Orlando, I had wondered who the unsung hero of the game would be for the Sixers if they pulled this one out. I would’ve not guessed Andre Drummond, who, to be frank, infuriated me throughout the season whenever he was on the court. That
wasn’t the case at all on Wednesday.
Joel Embiid was sidelined and Adem Bona got the nod as starting center, but Drummond played 31 minutes, totaling 14 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and three steals. He stuffed the box score! The 32-year-old Drummond brought a level of physicality that the Sixers desperately needed against an opponent like Orlando. The Sixers don’t win that game without him delivering that level of performance.
The two threes he made during the game that made the Sixers faithful erupt at the arena? Those were the highlights of the evening.
Tyrese Maxey debuted his new signature New Balance sneakers in the win
Maxey, donning the Sixers’ black throwback uniforms on Wednesday, had the perfect sneakers to match with his new New Balances:
My wife would kick me out of the house if I bought another pair of sneakers, but these look like perfect summer footwear for bopping around the city.
Per GQ, the sneakers will release later this year for $130.
Paul George needs to hit another gear, but I’m not sure he still has one
Paul George, who would turn 36 the day of a potential Sixers-Celtics Game 7, was 6-of-16 from the field and 1-of-6 from deep on Wednesday. The Play-In was his 11th game since returning from a 25-game anti-drug policy suspension. He needs to be better than that if the Sixers are to have even a puncher’s chance against Boston, particularly with Embiid’s timeline to getting back unknown as he recovers from surgery for appendicitis.
I always thought the “Playoff P” nickname was a bit of a misnomer for a guy, in the middle of his 16th pro season, who’s never reached the NBA Finals, but if he was ever going to live up that billing in its true form, it needs to be now.
‘We want Boston!’
As the Sixers inched closer to victory over Orlando, “We want Boston!” chants broke out at Xfinity Mobile Arena:
Famous last words? I respect the energy from our fan base even though I’m sure people online will clown us in the event that the Celtics make quick work of the Sixers over the next week-plus.
A Sixers-Celtics prediction…
Celtics in five, sadly. Am I a coward for not at least tricking myself into hoping and dreaming of an unprecedented upset given the talent disparity and the specific opponent? Maybe! I’ll still be rooting like hell either way.
