Tyrese Maxey, Paul Georfe play like superstars as Sixers beat Hornets

To think, what would this team’s record be if they didn’t play Charlotte every other day?

The Sixers moved to 3-0 in the season series, knocking off the Hornets 121-108 on Monday night. They are now 8-16 on the season.

Just like last time in this building, Paul George had his highest-scoring game as a Sixer with 33 points on 13-of-20 shooting, going 6-of-9 from three. He also went for five rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

Tyrese Maxey also chipped in, finishing with a game-high 40 points on 12-of-28 shooting and 6-of-12 from deep. Kelly Oubre Jr. had another nice night against his old team, finishing with 19 points and nine boards.

Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.

First quarter

• Good starts from PG and Maxey helped the Sixers open the game 8-of-12 from the field. Maxey got on the board with a deep three off the catch and then knocked down a pair of pull-up jumpers, which had to feel good. He’s shooting just 38% from the field and 21% from three over the last five games.

• The two of them were cooking so much that it took a while for another Sixer to score. Oubre took the opening tip right in for a layup, and that was it until KJ Martin also got a layup in transition. It wouldn’t have taken this long if Oubre hadn’t missed a few free throws, so those games continue.
• It’s been pointed out before, but it’s notable how Ricky Council IV is nowhere near the three-point line when he takes shots from the wing. It’s like he floats over to the coach’s line instead. Regardless, the Sixers had an eight-point lead after George hit his third triple of the quarter.

Second Quarter

• Things slowed down quite significantly after a fast opening quarter. The two teams combined to start the second 2-of-9 from the floor. The Sixers are already making themselves susceptible to getting their shots blocked, and Mark Williams had three blocks in the first half.
• It was a lot of pull-ups for George in the first quarter, and in the second he started to have success driving to the basket. He had a really impressive and-1 right by Williams (though of course he missed the free throw) and then drew two defenders to get a dump-off into Andre Drummond. He dropped another three, and the three put him ahead of Jason Terry in 10th through three points.

• Maxey went cold through the middle of the quarter, but picked things up again with a pair of big threes. The Hornets were able to run off a couple of fast breaks to close out the half, making it a five point lead at halftime.

Third Quarter

• Oubre, who always seems to play well against his former team, started the second half pretty strong. He had a nice drive to the hoop and then a dump-off with a stop on Brandon Miller in between.

• As a team, the Sixers shot it very well to start the half, going 4-of-5 from behind the arc. Eric Gordon, playing in his first game in December, knocked down his first three since before Thanksgiving. He made three threes this quarter – he hadn’t made a three in a game this season until tonight.
• One Sixer who may now be falling off the deep end is Guerschon Yabusele, who was 0-of-3 from three tonight. He certainly seems more comfortable shooting himself out of these slumps than when he first got here. Even with that, the Sixers still got out to a 16-point lead after three.

Fourth Quarter

• This game began to look eerily similar to the last meeting between these two as the Hornets opened the quarter on a 10-0 run. Unfortunately, things stalled a bit when Brandon Miller rolled his ankle on a drive to the basket.
• While Miller had to leave the match, Charlotte continued to close the gap. The Sixers started the quarter 1-of-6 from the field along with four turnovers. Between the contested pull-ups and aimless drives to the basket, it was not a pretty sight.
• Oubre leaked open for a three and it was a much needed bucket to hold on for the Sixers. PG slid down in the corner moments later and Maxey found him with a pretty nice pass to complete the play. It’s the type of performance you look for from All-Stars in times like this when the world feels upside down.

• Next up is, you guessed it, the same Charlotte Hornets. They wrap up the season series Friday back in Philly at 7 p.m. ET. Joel Embiid has already been banned for it.