The Philadelphia 76ers have been in need of somebody who will do the dirty work. Somebody who will step up and do whatever it takes to get a win and set the tone on both ends of the floor.
With PJ Tucker out on Saturday, Philadelphia turned to De’Anthony Melton to set that tone and he did so in a big way.
Melton had 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, and six steals as the Sixers blew out the Indiana Pacers on the road 141-121. Melton shot 6-for-10 from the floor, hit two triples, and he bothered Indiana’s ball-handlers all night long.
“He just does De’Anthony stuff,” coach Doc Rivers told reporters. “We were laughing. He’s the best foul to give guy ever because he goes for a steal and gets them. On that one, that was a foul to give. He didn’t foul the guy, he just stole the ball, but he knows he can gamble on those. So it gives him freedom to do that, and with his hands. He had blocks, steals, assists, points. He’s been fantastic.”
Melton has been terrific in all phases for the Sixers and Saturday was another example of that. He stuffed the stat sheet and he has done so on a majority of nights during this current 2022-23 season all while having his role change. He has had to start, come off the bench, score, defend, run the offense, and he has done all of that with no complaints.
“Melt’s always been great,” Tyrese Maxey told NBC Sports Philadelphia on the sideline. “The whole year, he’s been kind of like me. He’s in different roles. He’s done whatever the team asked him to do.”
Melton’s performance was a big reason why the Sixers were able to pick up their eighth straight win and they will now head back home to play host to the Chicago Bulls on Monday.
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