PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers have won two in a row following a 98-91 win over the Miami Heat on Monday night. The Sixers improved to 12-22 on the season without Joel Embiid, and Philadelphia is now 38-30 on the season.
Kyle Lowry had 16 points in the win over the Heat, and he made some big plays down the stretch. He and Tyrese Maxey have continued to grow as a backcourt pairing, and Lowry knows that the Sixers will rely on Maxey until Embiid returns.
The Sixers have to continue to grow that backcourt. Lowry and Maxey are the leaders of this team with Embiid off the floor. Lowry also wants to make life easy for Maxey.
“We just gotta continue to be together,” Lowry explained. “Repetitions, being on the floor together having the same — we’re on the same wavelength. And I think he respects me and I respect him and he’s just trying to, he’s learning me and I’m learning him and I just want him to — all I’m here to do is make it better. However that is, and make his job easier.”
Without Embiid, the Sixers are still struggling. The 12-22 record speaks for itself. However, there have been good moments of late. Philadelphia gave the Milwaukee Bucks all they could handle in a March 14 loss and then knocked off the Charlotte Hornets and the Heat.
The wins aren’t exactly impressive considering the Hornets have been dreadful all season and the Heat were missing numerous key pieces. However, the wins are evidence the Sixers are growing without Embiid. That’s a positive one can take.
“I think we’re continuing to get better,” Lowry added. “I think we’re just continuing to be more disciplined, more patient. I think guys are starting to find themselves, find their rhythm, find their spots on the floor. We understand what we’re going to do, we’re going to go through Tyrese is going to do this right now. Kelly (Oubre Jr.) is going to lead us right now. Guys that’s going to lead us and they know they’re comfortable with their position so we know what we’re getting so it’s pretty cool.”
The Sixers begin a four-game West Coast road trip on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns.
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