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Third Quarter

Apparently Drew Eubanks got called for a technical as the first half closed because the second opened with George at the line for one so it all evened out? Despite a fairly quick start from the Sixers that saw PG move up the all-time three point list, the Jazz made six of their first seven shots to rip off a 13-2 run that completely erased Philly’s short lived double digit lead.

Not only did the Jazz retake the lead, but the Sixers had to be a bit more cautious for the rest of the night as George picked up his fifth foul of the night with five minutes left in the third.

Field goals continued to come few and far between for the Sixers as they shot 35% from the field in the quarter. A three from Maxey with 57 seconds though was good enough to keep things tied at 81 entering the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

The Sixers’ defense continued to have messy breakdowns as they gave up four open dunks or layups to start the quarter. The offense continued to sludge along as threes from Maxey and Yabu kept them afloat.

While the Sixers had the free throw advantage for most of the night, they just could not stop fouling to start the fourth. Yabusele picked up his fifth along with George as the Jazz were in the bonus halfway through the quarter.

Embiid gradually brought them back post-touch after post-touch. He had Utah’s bigs biting on pump fakes all night that set up easy hook shots. He slipped on a give-and-go but was still able to kick it out to Maxey for a three that re-took the lead with three minutes remaining.

The clutch-time offense was a heavy spamming of the two-man game between Embiid and Maxey. Embiid knocked down one midrange but that was all they got out of it. Him and George nearly handed the ball back to Utah but it ended with George getting fouled on his prayer to beat the shot clock. He split the pair, giving the Jazz a chance with 18 seconds remaining.

Markkanen missed a quick three and the ball eventually went out of bounds off of Utah. George split the free throws again though, and Markkanen hitting the three the next time gave the Jazz one last chance. Embiid intercepted a full court pass to finally put this one away.

The Sixers’ final contest of 2024 comes from Portland as they take on the Trail Blazers Monday night at 10:30 p.m. ET.

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Who likes to do their job between Christmas and New Year’s anyways?

By hook or by crook, a win is a win.

The Sixers knocked off the Utah Jazz 114-111 Saturday night as they may have been the beneficiaries of some questionable replay review decisions in the final minute.

Joel Embiid went for 32 points on 10-of-21 shooting, including the go-ahead basket with a minute and a half remaining. He also had three steals and three blocks. Tyrese Maxey finished with 32 points as well, the first time they’ve both hit 30 in a game this season.

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Paul George had 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting and was 3-of-5 from the line. Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 23.

This win marks the Sixers’ first three-game winning streak of the season. They are 12-17.

Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.

First Quarter

After PG knocked down a three off the catch on their first proper possession of the game, the Sixers then preceded to miss their next five shots from the floor. It’s no shock they came out a bit flat after that Christmas victory. Embiid tried to switch up the vibes by hopping on the Jazz’ mascot’s motorcycle.

While Embiid went on to score six straight, the Jazz were just taking it to them at the other end. They got off to a 10-of-20 start from the field as well as a 15-5 rebounding advantage. Utah also snagged five offensive rebounds in the opening quarter.

Caleb Martin did however pick up right where he left off on Christmas by knocking down a three and a drive for an and-1, starting a 9-0 Sixers’ run. Utah wasn’t slowed down for long, ending the quarter shooting 54% from the field with a 12-point lead.

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Second Quarter

The offense continued to look grim as they could not buy a jump shot to fall. Their first two baskets of the quarter were layups from Maxey and Ricky Council IV. Other than transition, the Sixers weren’t looking to do much in the paint early.

Embiid got himself and the offense going with a classic pick-and pop three assisted by Maxey upon returning to the game. That kickstarted a 17-3 run that saw the Sixers retake the lead. On top of the big fella, Guerschon Yabusele had a really good stretch of keeping possessions alive, and George was everywhere defensively as he racked up four steals in the half.

The Sixers closed the half off well, even after they got T’d up trying to challenge an out-of-bounds call that was almost certainly wrong. They held the Jazz under 20 points for the quarter, and once Embiid started attacking the paint he was living at the free throw line. He had 10 attempts in the first half. George finished it off with a driving dunk to make it a five-point lead at the half.