PHILADELPHIA — With the Philadelphia 76ers short-handed without James Harden and Tyrese Maxey on the floor, they have needed others to step up and produce.
Enter Shake Milton, who has put together a terrific stretch. Over the last five games, Milton is averaging 22.4 points, 7.6 assists and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 52.4% from deep and 55.3% from the floor. Even with the return of Joel Embiid on Monday, Milton had 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
“The NBA is all about opportunities,” Embiid said of Milton. “Right now, he’s got a huge opportunity because he’s extremely needed. We lost two of our ball handlers. He has a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders, but he’s been doing such a fantastic job and I think he’s always had it. It’s just about the opportunities he just never had. He had a couple chances, but it’s easier when you play regularly. It’s hard.”
Milton has been with Embiid for the entirety of his career and the veteran out of SMU and the big fella have been able to develop a bit of a two-man game while out on the floor.
“I’ve been playing with him for like, what, five years now?” said Milton. “If you can get the best player the ball in his sweet spots, that just ups your chances of being able to play and have the ball in your hands so it’s easy.”
Until Harden and Maxey return from their foot injuries, Philadelphia will lean more on Milton and Embiid on the offensive end as it begins a three-game road trip.
“We’re gonna see a lot more of that with the way that defense was kind of playing it where the big is going to drop or he’s going to shade Joel as I’m going down,” Milton added. “So it’s either gonna be one of those things where I draw two, hit Jo, or I’m aggressive, getting to the room and finding a little sweet spot around the rim.”
Milton, Embiid and the Sixers will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday to begin their three-game trip.
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