It may not have been against the toughest opponent, but the Sixers returned from their extra time off with a comfortable 115-105 win against the Pacers. As they played without Tyrese Maxey for the first
time this season, it was a solid performance led by what was Joel Embiid’s best game of the season by far.
On Sunday, the Sixers are back on the road to take on the Hawks.
Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford both remain out, while Tyrese Maxey is still only doubtful to return due to illness. Embiid (left knee injury management) is also listed as questionable.
The Hawks could be quite shorthanded themselves with a couple of key players on the injury report. Apart from Trae Young’s continued absence with his MCL sprain, Kristaps Porzingis is out with illness, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (who went off for an efficient season-high 34 points in the last game against Philly) is questionable with a right ankle sprain.
Embiid putting up 39 points certainly bodes well for what we can still expect to see from him when his body is on his side. It was the most comfortable he’s looked physically so far this season. He had a bit more pop on his drives and face-up moves, and his mid-range game was clicking.
The big fella still hasn’t played in two games within a three-day span this season. If he can suit up on Sunday, that would be a real step in the right direction.
The Sixers lost 142-134 in overtime the last time they faced the Hawks, and yet again the biggest concern for Philly in this one will be Jalen Johnson. He dropped a career-high 41 points in their last matchup on Nov. 30, and only seems to be improving in the All-Star season he’s putting together. Johnson’s now sitting at lofty career-high averages of 23.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game with a 38.9 percent stroke from three and 62.5 true shooting percentage.
If Johnson gives the Sixers as many problems as he did last time, it could swing this contest in the Hawks’ favor pretty quickly. Paul George and Dominick Barlow will need to step up with this assignment, ideally accompanied by sound rotations at the rim from Embiid, to keep Johnson contained with how effectively he’s getting to the rim, breaking out in transition, and leading the Hawks’ offense.
The Hawks haven’t exactly been lighting the league on fire since their last outing against the Sixers, though. They’ve only gone 1-4 in this stretch, dropping them to 14-12 on the season, and rank middle of the pack in both offensive (16th) and defensive (15th) rating. Alexander-Walker — Atlanta’s second-leading scorer this season at 20.7 points a night — potentially being sidelined for Sunday’s matchup would clearly be helpful for Philly, too.
Meanwhile, there are a few positives for the Sixers to build off from their win against the Pacers. Embiid’s assertive play is by far top of the list, but George also had a season-high 23 points (yes, that bar is quite low…), and VJ Edgecombe had his best game in a few weeks with 22 points on 6-of-10 shooting (3-of-5 from three), five assists and two steals.
If they can both stay in a shooting rhythm, Embiid plays and keeps trending in the right direction, and the Sixers can put together a better defensive effort to control Johnson, they should have a decent shot to get another win and beat Atlanta this time around. Even if Maxey doesn’t make his return.
Game Details
When: Sunday, December 14, 6:00 p.m. ET
Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers
