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<\/a><\/p>\nGetty Images<\/p>\n
Embiid helped set the tone for the Sixers on Tuesday following his absence in Monday night\u2019s beatdown at the hands of the Hornets.<\/p>\n
About halfway through the first quarter, Embiid scored eight straight \u2014 two free throws, a free-throw-line jumper off a Paul George assist, tip layup off a Maxey miss, then a putback off his own miss in a two-minute span of game time.<\/p>\n
His MVP-level touch from the midrange seems to have returned in full force, making 8-of-12 attempts against the Bucks.<\/p>\n
His buy-in into setting screens has been fruitful for the entire Sixers offense. It forces the defense to decide between helping the ball-handler\u2019s defender or Embiid on the soft roll that sets him up at the top of the key. We saw that continuously against the Bucks, as VJ Edgecombe, George, Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain all benefitted from his solid screens and got him open shots in rhythm.<\/p>\n
It is the kind of offensive structure that makes the post-centric Embiid with the ball on the block and everyone else standing, feel outdated.<\/p>\n
It lends itself to a more bought-in system, which can lead to moments like this, where Embiid is running a fastbreak and Maxey rewards him with a lob that felt like Fall 2016 all over again.<\/p>\n
Embiid\u2019s physicality in the post has been special to watch, and he displayed it again on Tuesday, causing havoc on the boards and getting easy points on second-chance opportunities.<\/p>\n
Paul George: 32 points, 11-of-21 FG, 9-of-15 3PT, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n George had his best shooting game of the season, and perhaps of the past six years. He drained nine threes against the Bucks on Tuesday, a feat he has only accomplished twice prior in his career. His first career nine-three game came on Nov. 21, 2012, and his career best day from three came on Feb. 1, 2019 where he drained 10 threes as a remember of the OKC Thunder.<\/p>\n It began early where he knocked down his first two attempts from deep, and he carried the shooting touch throughout the game. He would start the third similarly with a pair of jumpers, then break down Kyle Kuzma on a crossover step-back three later in the quarter.<\/p>\n Nearing the end of the quarter, he drained back-to-back from three on consecutive possessions. At the top of the fourth quarter, he stayed hot and was alternating made threes with McCain as the Sixers began to put the Bucks away.<\/p>\n Not to be forgotten is George\u2019s defensive impact, which helped slow down the Bucks\u2019 somehow electric offensive attack.<\/p>\n Tyrese Maxey: 22 points, 9-of-19 FG, 2-0f-8 3PT, 9 assists, 3 rebounds<\/p>\n Getty Images<\/p>\n Maxey once again did not have his best shooting night, but it was a drastic improvement from his six-point dud 24 hours prior in Charlotte. Most notably was Maxey\u2019s playmaking ability in a game where multiple guys were feeling it in various stretches.<\/p>\n He assisted on five of George\u2019s nine threes, and dealt up a beautiful lob to Embiid for a monumental slam.<\/p>\n His ability to let other guys cook like George or Embiid opens up the floor for him to attack with his speed or force strong reactions from the defense to find an open shooter.<\/p>\n Maxey used his speed throughout, valuable on a poor shooting night. Five of his nine makes came within five feet of the rim as he utilized his floater when unable to get all the way for a layup. Not his best performance, but a strong game-managing display to help him get back on track.<\/p>\n Jared McCain: 17 points, 6-of-8 FG, 5-of-6 3PT, 3 assists, 1 rebound<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n