PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers played host to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday afternoon looking to pick up the win before hitting the road for a quick 2-game trip. The Sixers already picked up a win over the Pacers earlier in the season and were in position to go up 2-0 in the season series as these games matter this early in the season.
The Pacers eked out a lead in the first half, but Philadelphia kicked it into high gear and rode the high scoring duo of Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown to earn a 131-124 win despite Joel Embiid sitting on the front end of a back-to-back. The Sixers are now 11-3 on the season and will hit the road to Brooklyn on Monday.
Maxey finished with 26 points and six assists, Brown had 31 points, and LeBron James had 15
points, six rebounds, and 11 assists. Jabari Walker chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds, Dean Wade had 12 points and seven rebounds, and Anfernee Simons added 12 points. VJ Edgecombe added 11 points, six assists, and four rebounds.
Here tare the player grades following the win:
Tyrese Maxey: A
The Pacers, to their credit, have been a much better defensive team as of late, but Maxey is no match for their perimeter guards. The 2-time All-Star got into a groove early with a transition bucket and then drilled two step back 3s while also getting the Sixers out and running off Indiana’s early turnovers. His ability to keep his head up and look ahead was helpful early. All day long, Maxey was breaking down the Pacers with his ball-handling, speed, and shooting ability. One has to give Indiana credit for trying different things and throwing different defenders and schemes at him, but Maxey was just too much for them.
VJ Edgecombe: B-minus
The second-year guard got into some foul trouble early as he picked up three fouls in the first half, which limited his effectiveness. He did produce some playmaking early, which Philadelphia was able to rely on in the early part of this one. As time wore on, Edgecombe was able to get into the paint and finish at the basket while also making plays for others and attacking the glass even with the 3-point shot struggling. The Sixers needed all of his contributions in this one.
Jaylen Brown: A
The Sixers needed somebody to provide offense in the early going and Brown stepped up in the half-court setting. He was able to break down Indiana’s defense, get to his spots, and be able to produce at a high level. He was knocking down tough shots and kept the Sixers rolling. He carried Philadelphia’s offensive attack as he came up with some much-needed buckets in a critical stretch in the second quarter. He got hit with some foul trouble in the third and spent the quarter on the bench, but he returned in the fourth and converted on some more tough hoops in order to expand on the lead.
LeBron James: A-minus
The future Hall of Famer missed a couple of early opportunities within the offense, but he was able to still make things happen for the Sixers on the offensive end. His ability to still get into the paint, draw a crowd of defenders, and make plays with his passing from there is a big help to this group’s offensive flow. Obviously, James’ IQ is off the charts and his work in the playmaking department was a big factor for Philadelphia early. He then looked for his own offense in the third when he put his head down and finished in the paint, knocked down a jumper, and threw down an alley-oop in transition. Scoring for James looks a bit different nowadays, but he made an impact all over the floor in this one.
Jabari Walker: A-minus
The Sixers turned to Walker in place of the resting Embiid and he turned in a nice effort. He doesn’t have the height advantage against Pacers big man Ivica Zubac, but he was able to make him work for everything he got and he also attacked the glass with his usual ferocity. The 3-pointers he made in the third allowed Philadelphia to stretch the lead and forced the Pacers to have to pay attention to him. His work in that area has been so noticeable.
Dean Wade: A
The initial stint for Wade was solid. The veteran hopped off the bench and knocked down a wing triple in order to keep the scoreboard moving for Philadelphia. He provided some good help on the glass and he was able to be a factor on the offensive end with his playmaking as well. His defensive versatility was so important as he went to work against a number of Pacers. Overall, a terrific game for Wade as he gave Philadelphia a little bit of everything. Even on the offensive end, he had a big afternoon.
Anfernee Simons: A
It was a big help to the Sixers that Simons was able to get rolling early. Indiana was in a groove with its offensive attack and was building a lead in the first quarter. Philadelphia then rolled Simons out there and he gave a big lift with his offensive ability. He knocked down a big 3 in the third to keep the Pacers at bay a bit. Overall, the offensive lift that Simons gave was important and Philadelphia needed all of it.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: B-plus
The veteran hopped off the bench and knocked down an early triple while also helping on the glass and on the defensive end. He was great on the glass and knocked down another big 3 in the second half. As long as the Sixers get some real 3-and-D production out of Caldwell-Pope on a nightly basis, they’ll be fine.
Labaron Philon Jr.: B
The Sixers turned to the rookie in the second quarter and he immediately contributed some offense with a wing triple. He has an understanding of how to play this game and Philadelphia will continue to develop him as a player.
Tacko Fall: B
The Sixers turned to Fall in the third quarter and the minutes were solid. He kept the Pacers out of the paint, he was grabbing rebounds, he gave the ball up to his guards, and he was tall. The Sixers will take these types of minutes from him.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Player grades: Tyrese Maxey leads Joel Embiid-less Sixers over Pacers
