“I think the biggest thing we’ve really accomplished is that we’ve come together a lot more.” Maxey said. “I feel like we had a lot of new people. I don’t know how many new people we have, like seven or so, and it’s difficult. You don’t know how you want to play. You don’t know which combinations go together. I think we’re finally finding out.”

There’s more about the Sixers:

• Caleb Martin has suffered shoulder, back and neck injuries since the start of the season, but this week marks the first time he has been able to play without pain, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Martin had one of his best games of the season on Wednesday, scoring 23 points while going 7 of 9 from three-point range. “He’s much healthier now than he was two weeks ago.” trainer Nick Nurse said. “The first thing he said to me was … ‘Coach, I feel so much better physically.'”
• Philadelphia has had success with a small-ball lineup Guerschon Yabusele Pompey added that he was plus-18 in 21 minutes of play. Kyle Lowry (plus-20) and Reggie Jackson (plus-11) often played together while Maxey was resting, and the Sixers were able to frustrate Boston with a zone defense.
• The Christmas Day matchup with the Celtics was significant for Yabusele, who began his NBA career in Boston before being released in 2019, notes Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer. He spent five years abroad and eventually became a star at Real Madrid before a standout performance at the Olympics opened the door for another NBA opportunity. “I have to be the hungriest on the pitch” Yabusele said. “So just try to help the team and play with a lot of energy and a lot of strength. … I also understand that getting a second chance is rare in the NBA, so when I’m out here I just try to do my best.”