PHILADELPHIA — The Sixers had to dig a little deeper for answers in the second half of Game 2 on Monday night after trailing by five points at intermission.
An ugly first half raised questions about whether they were awake, having handily taken care of the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1 despite a superb shooting display from the away team.
Perhaps the Sixers believed they had already proven something. Whatever the reason, Philadelphia was at risk of slipping up and letting the Nets head home in a tied series.
However, Tyrese Maxey was happy to answer the call when extra pressure prevented Joel Embiid from stamping his imprint on the offense and a rough night at the office rendered James Harden ineffective.
Maxey scored a game-high 33 points, knocking down six 3s in 40 minutes of play. He carried the load for the Sixers, delivering punches to Brooklyn’s gut with each bucket in the third and fourth quarters.
Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson, who scored 28 points to lead the Nets, certainly took notice of the third-year guard’s efforts.
“That’s playoff basketball, man. It’s a good team. Good guys are locked in, playing at the highest level, highest focus so you gotta expect to a degree that somebody’s going to step up their game,” Johnson said.
“And it’s not like (Tyrese Maxey)’s not a usual suspect. That guy can score.”
Maxey scored 18 points after halftime, lacing four of Philadelphia’s seven 3-pointers after intermission.
Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn was treated to a front-row seat to Maxey’s barrage, and he cast light on the former Kentucky standout’s outburst after the game.
“Give our good credit for maintaining the game plan. Harden and Embiid kept them in check, offensive rebounds for PJ kept them in check,” Vaughn opined.
“Give credit to Maxey tonight. So as a part of the playoffs, someone steps up, and you hope that step up is on your end of the line. Give them credit.”
Maxey has stepped up at least once in every playoff series he’s played since being named a starter at the beginning of last season.
This time, his efforts sent the Sixers to a commanding 2-0 advantage as the series swings to Brooklyn on Thursday.
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