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With their backs pressed against the wall and facing an elimination in Game Six on Friday night, the Philadelphia 76ers responded in a big way. It wasn’t easy, but the Sixers overcame an early double-digit deficit to claim a 104-99 victory over the Atlanta Hawks to force the decisive Game 7 on Sunday night in Philadelphia. The win was impressive for the Sixers, especially after they blew out so much progress in each of the previous two competitions. The fact that they were able to bounce shows some impressive flexibility on their part.
Tobias Harris and Seth Curry led the way for Philly, both scoring 24 points, while Joel Embiid added 22 points and 13 rebounds. The Sixers also got a boost off the bench from Tyrese Maxey, who played 29 minutes and collected 16 points and seven rebounds. On the other side of the earth, Trae Young was excellent for Atlanta, which was all the series. He finished the match with 34 points and 12 assists, but in the end his production wasn’t enough to push the Falcons to victory. Kevin Huerter also added 17 points and 11 rebounds for Atlanta.
The loss was difficult for Hawks, who had the opportunity to close the series to their domestic audience. Heading into the game, they had all the momentum in the series after racking up two straight wins. Now, that momentum once again shifted to the Sixers. Neither team can think about this for very long, though Game 7 kicks off in less than 48 hours on Sunday night. Before we jump into this game, here’s a look at three key points from Philadelphia’s win in Game 6.
1. Main Minutes of Maxi
Heading into Game 6, Sixers rookie guard Therese Maxi played 33 total minutes in the series against the Hawks. But, when the Sixers needed a spark after falling behind in the match early, Maxey was ready to deliver. Maxi entered the game a little less than halfway through the opening period and immediately provided a huge boost to Philly. He went 3-on-3 off the ground and scored six points in that first quarter to keep the Sixers in the game while other major contributors struggled for points. He was also big for Philadelphia in the fourth quarter. In that last period, he played more than 10 minutes and scored seven points, including four free throws to close out the game. In all, Maxi played 29 minutes and finished the match with 16 points, seven rebounds, one assist, stealing and a block. It was also the highest level of a game +12 during his time on Earth.
After the match, Tobias Harris said Maxi was the “spark of the Sixers’ match,” and he was right. Not only did Maxey give the Sixers a huge boost, but he also did a solid job defending Trae Young on the other end. Maxey spent a lot of time at Young down the extension, and Young shot only 2 of 9 in the last quarter.
Given how well he played in game 6, Maxey will likely be in line for key minutes again in game 7.
2. Trae Young continues to make history this postseason
Trae Young seems to have set some kind of NBA game record in nearly every game this season, and Game 6 was no exception. As the game approached, Young scored or assisted 536 points for the Hawks during their first 10 games, which was more than ever by a player during the first 10 playoff games of his career.
In Game 6, Young collected more than 20 points and 7 assists for his eleventh game in a row, which equaled the record for the longest streak in NBA post-season history. John Wall also did it from 2015 to 2017, but Young’s streak is even more impressive considering the fact that it happened during the same playoff round, and that it happened during the first 11 playoffs of Young’s career.
Young’s production wasn’t enough in Game 6, but the fact that he’s playing so well in his first taste of playing after the season is over is impressive.
3. Seth Curry continues his hot shot of Philadelphia
We used to see Curry’s cook on the field during June. However, in the past, it was Stephen Curry who did the cooking. This time it was Seth. Seth was on fire all over the series against Atlanta, and Game 6 was no different. After dropping in a 36-point playoff (in shooting 13 of 19) in Game 5, Curry followed this up by dropping 24 points in shooting 8 of 14 in Game 6. Curry’s numbers for the series are striking. :
During the first few minutes of the third quarter, Curry hit three consecutive three-pointers to lift the Sixers into the lead—a lead they wouldn’t compromise.
Seth was shooting so well that his brother couldn’t help but be impressed.
When you have a man universally accepted as the best shooter ever tweeting about your shooting, you know you’re doing something right. Now, the Sixers can only hope that Curry continues to stay hot in Game 7, and maybe beyond.
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