Player grades: Sixers knock off Knicks to earn 3rd straight win

5 days ago 2

NEW YORK -- The Philadelphia 76ers paid a visit to the New York Knicks on Saturday night looking to end their 5-game road trip on a high note. After losing the first two games of the trip, the Sixers had a chance to end it with three straight wins as well as improve to 2-0 against their division rival--with both wins coming on the road.

The Sixers walked into Madison Square Garden and used a big second quarter to walk away with a 130-119 win. Philadelphia received 26 points from rookie VJ Edgecombe who once again had a huge performance in the world's most famous arena. The Sixers have won three in a row and will look to continue to climb the standings in the East.

Tyrese Maxey had 36 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, Joel Embiid had 26 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, and Paul George had 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Quentin Grimes hopped off the bench to add 10, six rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.

Here are the player grades after the win:

Tyrese Maxey: A

The star guard was everywhere to start this one. He was attacking the basket and finishing over tough defenders, made plays for his teammates, battled on the defensive end against New York’s perimeter ball handlers, and was helpful on the glass as he mixed it up with others. He had a stretch in the second quarter when he took over the scoring load and destroyed any defensive scheme the Knicks tried to implement against him. It continued in the third quarter as he went to work on the offensive end with an array of jumpers, floaters, and devastating finishes at the rim. The 6-year guard from Kentucky was just dominant in this one.

VJ Edgecombe: A

The rookie clearly loves playing at Madison Square Garden. Edgecombe attacked early and often in this one while once again drawing the defensive assignment of Jalen Brunson and New York couldn’t slow him down. He was finishing at the basket, knocking down tough 3-pointers, and getting to his spots off the dribble. The 3-point shot that Edgecombe showed in this one was impressive as he made a ton of dagger 3s that the Knicks just couldn’t figure out how to slow down. When they did run him off the line, he would power into the paint and finish or make plays for others. No matter how one slices it, this was yet another impressive performance for the rookie out of Baylor.

Paul George: A-minus

Once again, George was terrific on the defensive end. He battled through screens to get to ball handlers on the perimeter and he hustled back on a few transition opportunities for the Knicks and made some impressive plays as a rim protector. It’s encouraging for Philadelphia to see George continue to make an impact defensively while also continuing to find a rhythm on the offensive end. He knocked down a couple of 3s in the second half off the same baseline action and had a solid offensive night.

Dominick Barlow: C-plus

The big man had a few good moments, but the Sixers received such great play from Bona in this one that it limited the chances for Barlow. Either way, when the 4-year big man from Overtime Elite was out there, he produced and made an impact for Philadelphia. He committed a couple of bad offensive fouls, but overall, he made a positive impact for this group.

Joel Embiid: A

Battling in the paint with Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson, the big fella got off to a good start. He went to work in the mid-range and drew two quick fouls on the New York big man in the early going of this one. He didn’t have to take many shots when considering what Maxey and Edgecombe were able to do against this Knicks defensive scheme, but when he did look for his offense, he was efficient. He also moved well on the defensive end of the floor. This was another encouraging performance for the big fella.

Quentin Grimes: A-minus

The initial stint for Grimes was a weird one. He air balled a couple of 3-pointers, but he also had some big defensive plays that allowed the Sixers to get out in transition for some easy buckets. He stuffed the stat sheet as he continues to find ways to impact the game and make his presence felt. After the tough start with his shooting, he knocked down two big 3-pointers to give the Sixers some cushion and he gave the Sixers a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor.

Jared McCain: B

The second-year guard missed an early layup, but he then drilled a deep 3-pointer which is the encouraging thing for Philadelphia because he found a rhythm and made another one in the fourth. The Sixers need McCain to find a way to get going from the perimeter and give them that offensive spark, so him knocking down a couple of 3s is a big development.

Adem Bona: B

The Sixers received a terrific effort from Bona in this one. He protected the rim, made Knicks ball handlers think twice about getting to the basket. A big aspect for Bona is the continued success next to Embiid in some lineups. He can be bouncy and protect the basket while Embiid can drift to the perimeter and it makes life easy for everyone involved.

Jabari Walker: B-minus

The big man hopped off the bench and gave the Sixers a shot of energy. He was helpful on the glass, moved his feet well on the defensive end. He also had a nice finish through traffic in the paint.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Player grades: Sixers knock off Knicks to earn 3rd straight win

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