Maxey-McCain backcourt electric as Sixers finally get a win vs. Nets

Everything with the Sixers’ season has been a disaster, but Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain provided hope Friday, taking over in the fourth quarter of a win over the Nets.

Nearly a month into the regular season, the Sixers have notched their first win in regulation.

Philadelphia knocked off the Brooklyn Nets 113-98 to improve to 3-12 on the season and 1-2 in NBA Cup play.

After being downgraded to questionable this morning with left-knee management, Joel Embiid was ruled out just prior to tip off. Guerschon Yabusele started in place of him at center.

The Sixers’ young backcourt however, finally gave the fanbase something to feel good about. In his seventh straight game of scoring at least 20, Jared McCain led the Sixers with 30 points shooting 11-of-20 from the field and 6-of-11 from three. Tyrese Maxey had an excellent second half to finish with 26. Cam Johnson led all scorers with 37.

Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.

First Quarter

• It sounded like the floating camera angle NBC Sports Philadelphia broke out was a nightmare for the viewing experience. It was distracting me all night zooming back and forth in front of the hockey press box. I’m with you guys, get rid of it!
• The decision to start small paid off early, as Yabusele popped off a couple of screens to knock down a pair of threes. Kelly Oubre Jr. took advantage of the five out offense with a couple of baskets at the rim — one off a cut and the other a put-back.
• As expected, Maxey’s first shift was longer than Wednesday, playing a little over seven minutes. He made his first two shots, a transition layup and a three, before missing a pull-up from the elbow. After that three from Maxey though, the Sixers were held without a field goal for the following three minutes.
• Of course it was McCain to bring some life back into the offense. After Eric Gordon snapped the drought with a layup, McCain got on the board with a corner three. After nearly turning it over on the next possession, the broken play led the ball back to him where he knocked another one down from well behind the three-point line. The Sixers led by five after the opening quarter.

Second Quarter

• The Sixers opened the second with a front court of Oubre, Andre Drummond and KJ Martin. That unit’s ability to space the floor didn’t increase a ton when Caleb Martin subbed in for Oubre. As it would happen though, that unit didn’t have much trouble scoring. Oubre, Drummond and Caleb Martin all got to the line, while McCain and Reggie Jackson each hit a corner three.

• Things are pretty miserable across the board for the Sixers, so it was nice for the Nets to provide some Schadenfreude. Ben Simmons had a wide open layup and completely smoked it, giving the crowd a big cheer and a hearty laugh when it was shown again on the big screen.
• Caleb Martin took a pretty nasty looking fall on a layup attempt he got fouled on. He tried to stay in the game but eventually did head back to the locker room. He was back out there to start the second half.
• After a really solid half on both ends, the Sixers loosened up a bit to close it out, and the Nets took advantage. Despite getting into a bit of a groove, Maxey only played three minutes in the quarter. Philly only scored two points over the last 3:27 of the half with some ugly turnovers sprinkled in, their lead at the half was down to three.

Third Quarter

• The offensive struggles continued as it took over three minutes for the Sixers to get their first field goal of the second half. In the first half they did a good job of containing Brooklyn’s scoring to just Cam Johnson, but Cam Thomas got going early in the third as well. The Sixers had surrendered another double-digit run in the blink of an eye.
• It’s been rare to see this team show some fight after giving up a run, but they did that in the third. After hitting a couple of threes, they took advantage of some Thomas turnovers, including one that Maxey just ripped right out of his hands.

• They retook the lead a few moments later thanks to a couple of tough finishes at the rim by Maxey. They left some points on the board which stopped them from building a big lead again. Both Oubre and Drummond missed point blank layups on the last possession of the quarter. The Sixers clung to a two-point lead after the third.

Fourth Quarter

• Containing Johnson still proved a struggle as he scored on three of Brooklyn’s first five trips down the floor. McCain was able to keep pace with some elbow jumpers, and KJ Martin deserves credit for keeping the offense afloat during this stretch. He had two very hard fought offensive rebounds during this stretch.
• The Sixers understandably had to stagger McCain and Maxey for most of the night, but there were no such restrictions down the stretch. McCain retook the lead again with five straight points, then it was Maxey’s turn to extend it. They pretty much just took turns trying to cook the Nets’ defense, and that was all the offense needed to get them over the hump tonight.

• While those two carried the offense, the rest of the team was pretty locked in defensively. They held the Nets scoreless for over three minutes in the middle of the quarter. Even with Cam Johnson having a crazy three-point shooting night, this was one of the Sixers’ best defensive games as a unit.
• The Sixers will stay at home as they welcome James Harden and the Clippers to town. Their second meeting of the year will take place Sunday night at 6 p.m. ET. Joel Embiid has already been ruled out for that one as well.