SALT LAKE CITY — The Philadelphia 76ers triumphed over the Utah Jazz with a close score of 114-111 on Saturday night, thanks to standout performances from Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, who both contributed 32 points.
Embiid excelled at the free-throw line, hitting 11 of 13 attempts, helping the 76ers recover from a challenging first half where they fell behind by 14 points. This victory marked Philadelphia’s ninth win in the last twelve matches, with Paul George also making an impact by recording a season-high five steals alongside his 13 points.
Despite being down by 11 points early in the second half, the Jazz made a commendable comeback. However, the 76ers regained momentum, taking a 110-108 lead with just 1:38 remaining, thanks to consecutive baskets from Maxey and Embiid. Lauri Markkanen responded with a three-pointer to narrow the gap to 112-111 with only 4.1 seconds on the clock, but Maxey’s two free throws would finalize the score.
Markkanen led the Jazz with 23 points, while both Collin Sexton and Brice Sensabaugh contributed to the score with 20 points each. Utah displayed an impressive shooting performance, converting 54% of their shots in the first quarter and establishing a 42-28 lead in the second, aided by consecutive layups from Sexton and Sensabaugh. Yet, the 76ers erased this deficit before halftime, executing a 24-5 run that shifted the momentum and allowed them to take a 52-47 lead into the break, highlighted by multiple scores from Embiid.
Key observations from the game show that the 76ers benefitted from their aggressive approach, drawing fouls frequently and resulting in an impressive 29 of 37 success rate from the free-throw line. On the contrary, the Jazz struggled with turnovers which hampered their offensive efforts at crucial moments, totaling 22 turnovers that resulted in 22 points for Philadelphia.
A significant moment in the game occurred when Sensabaugh sparked a 10-3 run with a decisive pull-up three-pointer, propelling Utah to a 101-95 lead midway through the fourth quarter. However, Embiid responded with a couple of hook shots, shrinking the deficit to just one before Maxey hit a crucial three-pointer to give the 76ers the lead.
One telling statistic from the matchup revealed that Utah only managed to score two baskets in the final 4:35 of the game, which ultimately hindered their chances of securing a win.
Looking ahead, the 76ers will extend their six-game road trip with a matchup against Portland on Monday, while the Jazz will be back in action at home, hosting Denver the same day.
