Sixers-Mavs takeaways: Joel Embiid’s presence, Justin Edwards' ability stand out
Joel Embiid’s presence opens up things for the 76ers. The team has a keeper in Justin Edwards. But the Sixers still need to cut down on their fourth-quarter miscues. Those three things stood out in the Sixers’ 118-116 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday night.
Joel Embiid’s presence opens up things for the 76ers. The team has a keeper in Justin Edwards. But the Sixers still need to cut down on their fourth-quarter miscues. Those three things stood out in the Sixers’ 118-116 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday night.
Embiid’s return
The Sixers' offense looked like a well-oiled machine in the first quarter. They shot 65.2% — while making 4 of 7 three-pointers — and six players scored. A lot of that had to do with Embiid's return after missing the last 15 games.
Embiid’s return
The Sixers' offense looked like a well-oiled machine in the first quarter. They shot 65.2% — while making 4 of 7 three-pointers — and six players scored. A lot of that had to do with Embiid's return after missing the last 15 games.
“A couple of times, I came off and I was like open, open,” Tyrese Maxey said. “One time, I didn’t even shoot it. I was so open. ... But you just got to appreciate that, what he brings to the game on the offensive end, then on the defensive end as well.” The Sixers ended up shooting 54.7% for the game.
“A couple of times, I came off and I was like open, open,” Tyrese Maxey said. “One time, I didn’t even shoot it. I was so open. ... But you just got to appreciate that, what he brings to the game on the offensive end, then on the defensive end as well.” The Sixers ended up shooting 54.7% for the game.
Edwards is a keeper
The former Imhotep Charter standout continues to show he belongs in the NBA. The undrafted rookie two-way player finished with 16 points on 6-for-13 shooting — including making 4 of 9 three-pointers — to go with two assists and one block.
Edwards is a keeper
The former Imhotep Charter standout continues to show he belongs in the NBA. The undrafted rookie two-way player finished with 16 points on 6-for-13 shooting — including making 4 of 9 three-pointers — to go with two assists and one block.
He was a game-best plus-23 in 37 minutes, 48 seconds of action. “Awesome,” coach Nick Nurse said of Edwards. “He worked, worked, worked on defense. He wasn’t perfect. He made a couple of really glaring mistakes early in the game, defensively. ... He continues to play offense with just tremendous confidence."
He was a game-best plus-23 in 37 minutes, 48 seconds of action. “Awesome,” coach Nick Nurse said of Edwards. “He worked, worked, worked on defense. He wasn’t perfect. He made a couple of really glaring mistakes early in the game, defensively. ... He continues to play offense with just tremendous confidence."
Rough ending
Embiid saved the Sixers by scoring the final five points, grabbing a huge defensive rebound, and making a key defensive stop late in the game. But earlier in the fourth quarter, the Sixers looked like they were destined to unravel.
Rough ending
Embiid saved the Sixers by scoring the final five points, grabbing a huge defensive rebound, and making a key defensive stop late in the game. But earlier in the fourth quarter, the Sixers looked like they were destined to unravel.
The Sixers were missing easy baskets, committing unforced turnovers and getting torched defensively. Fortunately for the Sixers, they were able to overcome the rough stretch. But they surely need to tighten things up moving forward.
The Sixers were missing easy baskets, committing unforced turnovers and getting torched defensively. Fortunately for the Sixers, they were able to overcome the rough stretch. But they surely need to tighten things up moving forward.