In a heated and physical battle between Philadelphia and San Antonio that could have come from the 1980s or served as the background video for a Rocky movie, they spent the fourth quarter dealing powerful offensive blows to the other in a finish , which was appropriate for a playoff. In the series, it was Tyrese Maxey (6 points in the last minute) and the Sixers who finished strongest.

The teams took turns denting the rims and each other in a hard-fought opening half – until the Sixers took a higher number of shots as part of a 17-2 run in the third quarter and pounded the Spurs. Rookie Stephon Castle (17 points) carried the San Antonio offense for most of the third quarter, initiating a comeback attempt that was completed in time by Julian Champagnie (15 points and 8 assists) and Chris Paul (12 points and 8 assists). fourth quarter and needed outside shooting.

Nick Nurse’s plan was for his big men to make fun of Spurs’ slender superstar, and Victor Wembanyama struggled to find his shooting touch in the first half. However, he more than made up for it by deflecting shots all over the court with all his might and finding a balance between setting up open teammates and finding his shot. Wembanyama (26 points, 9 rebounds and 8 blocks) led a Spurs block party tonight, but the team was undone by its cold shooting in the first two games ¹⁄₂ Quarter.

Philadelphia lost its superstar Joel Embiid after 1 ¹⁄₂ Quarters of the game were led by Maxey (32 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals) and an unexpected star performance from former Celtic Guerschon Yabusele (17 points and 4 steals).

Observations

• While I was evaluating the final score tonight, my sister sent me tons of photos from behind the Spurs bench. #jealous
• The Spectrum floor design (aside from the gaming and internet commercials) and home colleges brought back childhood memories. Playing “Automatic” by the Pointer Sister before the home team’s free throws was also a nice touch. This song was an underrated banger in the early 80s.
• I couldn’t believe the trio of Maxey, Embiid and George only played 71 minutes together this season.
• For a 7’1″ 300+ pound guy, Embiid plays more like a 6’5″ 200 pound Adrian Dantley (80’s) or 6’7″ 250 pound Larry Johnson (90’s) or Paul Pierce (00’s).
• The difference between Charles Bassey and Zach Collins? After persistently pushing Wembanyama back in the first six minutes, Embiid couldn’t do the same with Bassey – he launched his post-up from the top of the left block and settled for a bounce back. Although he hit the next shot over Bassey, Embiid’s position higher up the post allowed Jeremy Sochan to more easily block the shot.
• Devin’s actions: His activity in defense continues to be noticeable. He helped force a shot clock violation early in the third period by blocking a Sixer’s shot.
• Victor Ease: His ability to mask the pass or shot when attacking (almost like an RPO play in football) is a really nice development.
• Course of the game #1: Stephon Castle came into the game late in the opening stanza and created his own little highlight ree: After converting a nice banker, Stephon Castle came back across the court moments later, threw a beautiful lob to Wembanyama and hit a mid-range jump shot, to eliminate San Antonio’s score for the quarter.
• Course of the game #2: After Wembanyama found him deep in the lane for a layup, Keldon Johnson replicated Kevin Johnson’s baseline dunk over Hakeem Olajuwon to a stunned Andre Drummond.
• Kyle Lowry and Yabusele – Philly’s Thicc stars.

Game overview

Vassell scored his team’s first five points, while Wembanyama was stripped of the ball twice and threw an airball and a brick into the air. The Sixers’ big three scored their first thirteen goals. Sochan found success driving past a flat-footed Embiid and from the dunker’s spot to the basket, and his and-1 briefly gave San Antonio a 14-13 lead. Castle’s floater capped a 6-0 sixer run, and Wembanyama blocked two consecutive sixer shots to help the visitors take a 20-19 lead.

The second section contained enough highlights and drama to fill an entire game. After those blocks, Wembanyama forced Caleb Martin to step to the sideline to start the second block. After Wembanyama picked up his SIXTH BLOCK IN THE OPENING 15 MINUTEShe threw a nice lob to Johnson. Drummond was initially thrown out for a few fouls and technical errors that upset Wembanyama. After a lengthy review, Drummond was allowed back into the game and the Bigs’ technical requirements were lifted. Amid boos, Wembanaya hit a three-pointer on the wing to give Spurs the lead. Embiid caused his second and third fouls – the first on a Vassell drive and the next when he ran into Wembanyama on a drive – and was unceremoniously ejected for attacking the same referee who had called the earlier fouls on Drummond. Despite a four-minute field goal drought, the Spurs were barely able to maintain their lead until Yabusele’s three-pointer. Yabusele showed off his personal run to help his team take a 48-45 lead at halftime.

Only Philadelphia seemed to benefit from the break, as they fired off offensive fireworks throughout the third period. Wembanyama pushed two three-pointers around his eighth block after a George basket, but Yabusele continued to wreak havoc around the rim and along the boards, scoring his 15th point. San Antonio stayed ice cold from distance, and the Sixers’ better shooting allowed them to take a 15-point lead. Maxey’s excellent scoring and game management were only counteracted by Castle’s aggression in defense. Castle’s transition three got them within six points, but he (four) and Vassell (four) had foul trouble. Despite the Sixers’ initial push, San Antonio trailed by just nine heading into the fourth.

From a Sixers fans perspective, please visit Liberty Ballers.

San Antonio and New York get the ESPN and Disney treatment Wednesday morning with a simulcast on ABC, Disney+ and ESPN+. The real action takes place at 11 a.m. CDT on ABC, while the “Disneyfied” version airs simultaneously on Disney+ and ESPN+.