Sixers Bell Ringer: Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey combine for 64 in nail-biting win over Utah Jazz

Sixes Bell Ringer season standings:
Jared McCain – 8
Tyrese Maxey – 6.5
Paul George – 3.5
Joel Embiid – 3
KJ Martin – 2
Guerschon Yabusele – 2
Ricky Council IV – 1
Justin Edwards – 1st
Kelly Oubre Jr – 1st
(No poll was sent after the 12/16 win over Charlotte, so in a Liberty Ballers first, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey each received a half Bell Ringer.)

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The Philadelphia 76ers officially have their first three-game winning streak of the 2024-25 season after defeating Utah Jazz 114-11 Saturday night.

The Sixers were without Andre Drummond (toe), KJ Martin (foot), Eric Gordon (mouth surgery) and Jared McCain (knee surgery).

After an ugly start that led to the Sixers being outscored by double digits early, Philadelphia began to wake up thanks to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey carrying the majority of the weight offensively. From down 15, the Sixers’ rallied back to take a narrow lead over the Jazz going into halftime.

The third was a repeat of the first for Philadelphia, unfortunately. The Sixers looked lost and lethargic again, leaving the Jazz back in control of the contest. It (as it always seems these days) would come down to the wire. A Maxey triple with just over three minutes left finally put Philly back in the driver’s seat, but it would take until the very last seconds to make it 114-111.

Embiid and Maxey led the floor with 32 points each.

The West Coast road trip for the Sixers’ continues forward with Philadelphia set to visit Portland Trail Blazers at 10:00 PM ET Monday night to close 2024.

Until then, let’s get to the Bell.

Joel Embiid: 32 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks

Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Blame it on the travel or the hangover from the Sixers’ holiday win Celtics Wednesday, but no one came ready to play in the first period, and Embiid was no exception. The big guy couldn’t get his shots off the floor in the opening frame, scoring six points, four of which came from the charity stripe in the first period.

Something changed the rest of the game, though, as Embiid seemed far less likely to settle for midrange jumpers that weren’t there and instead started working in the post, backing opponents down toward the bucket. Embiid looks more and more comfortable with the fluidity of his footwork, relying on it to create space to shoot instead of always having to brutally force things through bully ball. Working the two-man game with Maxey to get into the arc and then using his own weapons to finish at the rim led to much easier finishes for Embiid, as well as a ton of drawn fouls for trips to the line, where he shot 11-for- 13 – all without too many moments of recklessly risking your body.

Whether it was the 32 points on offense (tied for the floor along with Maxey) or one of the many defensive moments he had (including four steals and three blocks), Embiid was able to completely take over the game on both ends of the floor, when the Sixers ‘ needed him. He had four turnovers and it wasn’t exactly the most efficient night shooting from the floor (10-for-21 on field goals and 1-for-4 from long range), but Embiid got his job done tonight regardless.

Tyrese Maxey: 32 points, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block

Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images

Maxey, like the rest of the Sixers, was unable to do much in the first period. He had just two points after the first 12 minutes, and they were both from the foul line. Then he came to life in the second, thankfully. From just a few points in the first period to adding 13 points in the second, Maxey really got into his groove when he stopped pulling up from outside every possession and instead started using his quickness and the work of Embiid to get through or around Jazz defenders into the paint and to the cup. As he moved more downhill and worked to create space through the two-man game with Embiid, Maxey found more success through easier looks at the bucket, making foul shots and better passes.

Maxey’s long-range shooting is still a bit inconsistent over long stretches of the game this season, with the guard appearing to struggle beyond the arc before draining multiple triples in any given sequence. That was the story again tonight. Maxey hit five of 13 three-pointers against the Jazz, and while fans would love to see more of them fall during the game, did hit them when they mattered most. Maxey hit three from long range in the decisive fourth period, including two within a minute as the Sixers retook the lead with a few minutes to play.

Maxey finished Saturday night with 32 points with six assists, two steals and a block.

Guerschon Yabusele: 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists

Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images

Yabusele has become one of the most reliable players the Sixers could ever ask for. He is a constant lift off the bench to pretty much every aspect of the game for Philadelphia, and tonight was no exception. He had 12 points on 4-for-7 field goal shooting (2-for-4 from outside) with eight rebounds and two assists.

But here’s why I don’t just look at statistics when I talk about Yabusele. His numbers are more than decent off the bench, don’t get me wrong, but they don’t tell the whole story. Eight rebounds with five on the offensive end is great as it is, but it doesn’t show you that any of those boards (or more) came on plays like this one:

Talk about turning trash into gold. To is what Yabusele does.

Sure, the numbers look pretty good on their own, but that’s how he earns those numbers. He extends possessions for the Sixers on the glass or creates them through tough defense. He’s careful with the ball (zero turnovers against both the Jazz and Celtics now), can make nice passes and will sink the bucket the team needs to shift momentum in a game.

He might not score 32 points like Embiid and Maxey, but that’s not his job. Honestly, I’m not sure there’s much more you can ask of him the way he’s playing right now.