Tyrese Maxey sizzles as Sixers win again without Joel Embiid

Behind a spectacular performanceby Tyrese Maxey, the Philadelphia 76ers eked out a tough 131-127win on the road against the Houston Rockets.

A 2023-24Most-Improved-Player-award frontrunner and potential All-Star-Gamestarter, Maxey poured in a game-high 42 points on 13-of-26 from thefield and 14-of-15 from the line, while also contributing 4rebounds and 4 assists.

After starting the season 0-4when reigning MVP Joel Embiid does not play, the Sixers have nowwon two-straight games without their starting center. They beat theOrlando Magic two nights ago in a blowout, which was also on theroad.

A big part of their recentsuccess is Maxey, who usually handles the scoring load when Embiidtakes his rest. The 23-year-old guard sizzled in the second quarterof this game, scoring 19 of his 42 points.

Tobias Harris provided amplesupport with a 22-4-7-4-3 statline, while Marcus Morris helped put thegame away with a four-point play with only 32 seconds left. TheSixers improve to 22-9, which is the third-best record in theEastern Conference.

Jalen Green and Fred VanVleetcombined for 64 points, but it was not enough as the Rockets losttheir third game in a row. Houston is now 15-15 on the season,which is the 10th-best record in the Western Conference.