In a feisty and physical bout between Philadelphia and San Antonio that could’ve been airlifted out of the 1980s or been a background video for a Rocky movie, they spent the fourth quarter giving the other mightly offensive blows, and in a conclusion befitting a playoff series, it was Tyrese Maxey (6 points in the final minute) and the Sixers that finished strongest.

The teams took turns denting the rims and each other in a competitive opening half – until the Sixers hit a higher amount of shots as part of a 17-2 run in the third quarter to knock the Spurs to the canvas. Rookie Stephon Castle (17 points) carried the San Antonio offense for most of the third to help initiate a comeback attempt that Julian Champagnie (15 points and 8 assists) and Chris Paul (12 points and 8 assists) continued into the fourth quarter with timely and needed outside shooting.

Nick Nurse’s plan was for his big men to wail away on the Spurs’ slender superstar, and Victor Wembanyama did struggle to find his shooting touch in the first half. However, he more than made up for it with his stalwart effort contesting shots all over the floor and finding a balance of setting up open teammates and seeking out his shot. Wembanyama (26 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 blocks) spearheaded a Spurs’ block party tonight, but the team was undone by its cold shooting over the first 2 1⁄2 quarters.

Philadelphia, absent its superstar Joel Embiid after 1 1⁄2 quarters of action, was paced 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 doing the Final Score tonight, my sister sent me endless photos from behind the Spurs’ bench. #jealous
• The Spectrum floor design (aside from the gaming and internet ads) and home unis brought back the childhood memories. Playing The Pointer Sister’s ‘Automatic’ before the home team’s free throws was a nice touch, too. That song was an underrated banger in the early 80s.
• Couldn’t believe that the Maxey, Embiid, and George trio have only played 71 minutes together this season.
• For a 7’1” 300+ lb guy, Embiid plays more like a 6’5” 200 lb. Adrian Dantley (80s) or 6’7” 250 lb. Larry Johnson (90s), or Paul Pierce (00s).
• The difference between Charles Bassey and Zach Collins? After Embiid bumped Wembanyama back persistently in the paint over the first six minutes, Embiid couldn’t do the same with Bassey – starting his post-up from very high on the left block and settling for a stepback jumper. Though he hit the next one over Bassey, Embiid’s position higher-up the post allowed for Jeremy Sochan to more easily contest the shot.
• Devin’s Deeds: His activity on defense continues to be noticeable. He helped force a shotclock violation early in the third period by blocking a Sixer’s shot.
• Victor Ease: His ability on drives to mask the pass or shot (almost like a RPO play in football) is reall;y nice development.
• Sequence of the Game #1: Stephon Castle came in late in the opening stanza, and created his own little highlight ree: ater converting a nice banker, Stephon Castle came back down the court moments later, tossed a gorgeous lob to Wembanyama, and hit a midrange jumper to close out San Antonio’s scoring for the quarter.
• Sequence of the Game #2: After Wembanyama found him deep in the lane for a lay-up, Keldon Johnson followed it up by reprising the Kevin Johnson baseline dunk over Hakeem Olajuwon on a stunned Andre Drummond.
• Kyle Lowry and Yabusele – Philly’s Thicc Stars.

Game Rundown

Vassell had his team’s first five points, while Wembanyama had the ball stripped from him twice and chucked up an airball and a brick. The Sixers’ big three scored their first thirteen. Sochan had success driving to the bucket against a flat-footed Embiid and from the dunker’s spot, and his and-1 briefly put San Antonio up 14-13. Castle’s floater ended a Sixer 6-0 run, and Wembanyama blocked two Sixer shots in succession to help the visitors go up 20-19.

The second period contained enough highlights and drama to fill up an entire game. After those blocks, Wembanyama forced Caleb Martin to step on the sideline to start the second. After Wembanyama picked up his SIXTH BLOCK IN THE OPENING 15 MINUTES, he floated a nice lob to Johnson. Drummond got himself initially tossed for a couple of fouls and technicals – roughing up Wembanyama. After lengthy review, Drummond was allowed back in the game, and the bigs’ technicals were rescinded. Amidst a chorus of boos, Wembanaya hit a wing three to put the Spurs up two. Embiid notched his second and third fouls – the first on a Vassell drive and next running into Wembanyama on a drive and was summarily tossed for going after the same referee that whistled the earlier fouls on Drummond. Despite a four minute field goal drought, the Spurs had a tenuous hold on the lead until Yabusele’s three. Yabusele staged his own personal run to help get his team ahead at the half 48-45.

Only Philadelphia seemed to benefit from the break as they generated offensive fireworks throughout the third. Wembanyama sandwiched two threes around his eighth block on a George lay-up, but Yabusele continued to wreak havoc from perimeter and on the boards to net his 15th point. San Antonio remained frigid from distance, and the Sixers’ better shooting allowed them to surge ahead by 15. Maxey’s excellent scoring and playmaking was countered only by Castle’s aggression in the paint. Castle’s transition three brought them within six, but he (four) and Vassell (four) encountered foul trouble. Despite the initial Sixers’ push, San Antonio went to the fourth down only nine.

For the Sixers fan’s perspective, please visit Liberty Ballers.

San Antonio and New York get the ESPN and Disney treatment on Wednesday morning with a simulcast on ABC, Disney+, and ESPN+. The real-life action takes place on ABC at 11 AM CDT, while the ‘Disneyfied’ version takes place at the same time on Disney+ and ESPN+.