The Sixer Sense
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GRADES: Sixers top Pacers with all-around dominance

By Ashley Foltz

Shake Milton | Sixers Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Shake Milton | Sixers Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sixers broke a streak of subpar and disappointing games as they dominated the Pacers in Tobias Harris’ absence.

The Philadelphia 76ers started off on a ridiculously good foot tonight, pushing heavily on the offensive end. Seth Curry displayed just how great this half of basketball would be by hitting a triple on his first shot of the game.

Mike Scott started for Tobias Harris who is recovering from a right knee contusion that occurred on Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks. At first glance, I hated this decision, but it dawned on me that having both Scott and Danny Green on the court at the same time would make it easier for Ben Simmons. It would add even more to the spacing, which we saw later on.

A strong night from the bench and Joel Embiid’s MVP presence carried the first-place Sixers to a dominant victory.

The bench FINALLY looked like they did at the start of the season. They were able to extend the lead with no starters on the court, which is a huge advancement for the Sixers. This is especially huge due to the fact that everyone played an excessive amount in Saturday night’s overtime loss. The bench ended the half with the same amount of points as the starters, 36.

It’s great to see that Shake Milton is finding his rhythm again. He ended the half with 15 points and +17 on the court. This all makes sense as it’s the anniversary of his career-high 39 point game against the Clippers.

MIKE SCOTT. A. <strong>25 mins | 11 pts | 4 reb | 0 ast | 4 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 4-4 FG | 3-3 3PT| 0-0 FT | 0 PF | +12 | </strong><p>We got a glimpse of the old Mike Scott tonight and boy was it nice to see. With Tobias out, he got a chance to start and work magic on the court. He shot 100% and collected his career-high four steals.</p>. PF. Philadelphia 76ers

JOEL EMBIID. A+. <strong>27 mins | 24 pts | 13 reb | 5 ast | 0 stl | 1 blk | 2 TO | 10-17 FG | 1-2 3PT| 3-3 FT | 1 PF | +22 | </strong><p>I mean, what else do you want me to say? It would truly be a crime if this man doesn’t win MVP this season. His defense was absolutely incredible, leaving Sabonis lost.</p>. C. Philadelphia 76ers

SG. Philadelphia 76ers. SHAKE MILTON. A-. <strong>30 mins | 26 pts | 4 reb | 4 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 9-14 FG | 3-5 3PT| 5-5 FT | 4 PF | +4 | </strong><p>FINALLY Shake broke out of his humdrum shell. He had been slowly making cracks out of it but tonight he broke through and looked like himself again.</p>

FURKAN KORKMAZ. A-. <strong>23 mins | 19 pts | 2 reb | 2 ast | 1 stl | 2 blk | 2 TO | 6-14 FG | 6-13 3PT| 1-2 FT | 1 PF | +9 | </strong><p>Was there a magnet on the net for Furky? Who’s to know? Whatever it was, I hope this jumpstarts his shooting again. It was so great to see him look confident and shoot the ball more this game.</p>. SG. Philadelphia 76ers

SG. Philadelphia 76ers. SETH CURRY. C+. <strong>23 mins | 7 pts | 0 reb | 5 ast | 1 stl | 0 blk | 1 TO | 3-6 FG | 1-3 3PT| 0-0 FT | 0 PF | +12 |</strong><p>It definitely wasn’t Seth’s best game, or even close to it, but it’s a start. He looked a little better tonight but he needs to shoot more to get out of this rut that he’s in. His first shot attempt of the game was a sweet cross-over three but after that, we didn’t see much action from him.</p>

With an 8-0 run by the Pacers to start the second half, who other than the big man himself, Joel Embiid, to quickly break that up by scoring five points himself. Embiid also now has 20 double-doubles in just 29 games.

Not only was the future MVP killing it on offense, but he also guarded Domantas Sabonis so well that it seemed like there was a brick wall surround him at all times.

Mike Scott looked similar to his old self this game. He ended the game with 11 points which included shooting three for three from beyond and four for four from the field. Most interestingly, he secured four steals, which is his caree -high.

The Sixers’ next game is Wednesday, March 3 against the Utah Jazz at 7 PM E.T.

Next. Ben Simmons’ best defensive games. dark