The Philadelphia 76ers will look to complete a winning road trip on Tuesday when they conclude a three-game trek against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis.
The 76ers dropped a 126-111 decision to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday before snapping a four-game overall losing skid the following day with a 135-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Tyrese Maxey highlighted his 39-point, eight-assist performance on Sunday with an emphatic left-handed dunk over Anthony Edwards.
While it was impressive to some, rookie VJ Edgecombe gave it a modest review.
“I’d give him a six out of 10,” Edgecombe said, per the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I’ve seen better. Six out of 10, not really impressed. In the moment I was, but looking back I’m not really impressed.”
Maxey, as one might expect, wasn’t too keen on Edgecombe’s assessment.
“That was a good dunk,” Maxey said. “Six out of 10? He can’t even dunk on people. He gave me a six out of 10? … Tough critic.”
Edgecombe’s assessment of Maxey’s performance over the team’s last five games should garner a better score. Maxey averaged 31.2 points over that stretch.
Edgecombe highlighted his 24-point performance on Sunday with a career-high six 3-pointers for the 76ers, who connected 21 times from beyond the arc.
Philadelphia continues to play without star center Joel Embiid, who sat out his fifth straight game due to soreness in his right knee and right shin.
The former NBA MVP collected 39 points and nine rebounds in the 76ers’ 115-105 win over visiting Indiana on Dec. 12 and 30 points and nine boards in a 113-104 home victory on Jan. 19.
Edgecombe scored 22 points in the first game versus the Pacers and Maxey added 29 in the latter encounter.
Indiana’s Pascal Siakam, who averages a team-best 23.9 points per game, had 20 points in the first meeting with the 76ers and 24 in the other.
The All-Star returned from a three-game absence to score 30 points on Sunday, but the Pacers dropped their third straight decision and seventh in their last nine games with a 134-130 setback to the Dallas Mavericks.
“Pascal’s one of the best players in the world,” Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle said. “We’ve talked about his leadership style. He’s a nurturing leader. He’s not a condescending guy, he’s not a finger-pointer. He helps teammates.”
Andrew Nembhard collected 22 points and 11 assists and Jarace Walker added 18 points, six assists and nine rebounds.
Kobe Brown continued to make an impact with Indiana, sinking three 3-pointers as part of his career-high 15-point performance. He was playing in his fifth game with the Pacers since being acquired as part of a Feb. 5 trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Love the way he’s shooting the ball right now,” Carlisle said. “This is a great chance for us to find out as much as we can about him. But like the things he’s doing.”
