Sixers vs. Nets analysis: Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey shine in victory over Eastern Conference’s top team

NEW YORK — The 76ers never really had a chance ... or so one would have thought.

The Sixers already had a daunting task against the Brooklyn Nets before coach Doc Rivers was placed in COVID-19 health and safety protocols Thursday morning.

With MVP front-runner Kevin Durant clearing protocols, the Nets were close to full strength. And the slim likelihood of the Sixers beating the Eastern Conference’s best team would supposed shrink when their leader wasn’t there.

Think again.

The Sixers upset the Nets, 110-102, at the Barclays Center to extend their winning streak to three games. This was one of the biggest wins of the season with all things considered. In addition to being without their coach, the Sixers faced two former league MVPs in Durant and James Harden.

“I think that Golden State game was probably bigger because that put us in front of the whole country and at home where we have been struggling,” assistant coach Dan Burke, the acting head coach until Rivers returns, said of beating the Warriors on Dec. 11. “So I would put that [on top].

“But this one in Brooklyn, those two guys out there on the court, it’s got to be up there.”

The players showered Burke with water to celebrate the win and gave him the game ball. He improved to 1-2 as an acting head coach. The other times came with the Indiana Pacers. He coached against the Golden State Warriors (2018-19 season) and the Charlotte Hornets (2017-18).

“If they didn’t throw water on me, I’d jump in the tub,” Burke said. “I didn’t know if they’d expect me to do an Irish jig or something. ... But it’s fun. I tell you, I don’t know if we ever say it enough: A lot of great character and big hearts. You got a chance every night.”

» READ MORE: Sixers coach Doc Rivers tests positive for coronavirus and is placed in COVID-19 health and safety protocols

The victory improved them to 19-16 and marked their first win over Brooklyn (23-10) in this season’s three meetings.

Joel Embiid finished with 34 points, three steals, and one block, marking his seventh straight road game with 30 or points. He’s averaging 36.3 points during the seven-game stretch.

Twenty-two of his points came in the first half. But his put-back basket with 15.3 seconds left all but clinched the game, giving them an 110-102 lead. Then Embiid grabbed a defensive rebound as time expired.

Tyrese Maxey, who missed the last meeting with Brooklyn with left quadriceps contusion, added 25 points on 10-for-18 shooting - including going 5-for-8 on three-pointers. Fourteen of his points came after intermission. Seth Curry finished with 17 points.

The Sixers welcomed back reserves Andre Drummond and Shake Milton. They missed the last four games while in protocols. They’re last game was a 114-109 loss here to the Nets on Dec. 16.

Durant and Harden scored 33 points apiece for the Nets. Harden also finished with game highs of 14 rebounds and 10 assists for his sixth triple-double of the season.

Embiid, once again, showed why he’s one of the league’s elite players.

The four-time All-Star dominated whoever guarded him in the beginning. Embiid hit three-pointers and jumpers with ease. He scored 16 of his team’s first 33 points before being subbed out for Drummond with 2 minutes, 37 seconds left in the first quarter.

But Drummond continued where Embiid left off. The reserve center was also too much for the Nets’ centers. Drummond scored 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting during a 7:41 stint before Embiid re-entered the game.

It took Embiid a little time to get back in rhythm. He missed his first four shots before scoring a three-point play and hitting a three-pointer. Embiid missed his final shot of the half, a desperation three-pointer.

After adding six points in the third quarter, Embiid scored six in the fourth quarter.

» READ MORE: Joel Embiid’s journey to the NBA — and his latest Sixers record — are unbelievable even to him

Late in the game, the standout displayed a lot of emotion and had a verbal exchange with Durant. Then at the conclusion of the game, Embiid told the league’s best player to go home. His actions were signs of this being a game he and the Sixers were determined to win.

“That’s the best team in our conference, obviously,” Embiid said. “I respect [Durant] a lot. Judging by the way he was acting last time, that’s the same thing he told us. Basically, we returned the favor, but there’s a lot of respect.”

Durant said the chatter between him and Embiid was nothing new. He said they respect each other so much that their competitive fire comes out, even in All-Star Games.

“So it’s the name of the game, and letting them know we’re coming with the same energy that they played with tonight,” Durant said. “You love competition. It’s only going to make you better.”

Drummond finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds during his return. It was his fifth double-double of the season.

Milton had a rough return. He failed to score a point while missing all six of his shot attempts. He cleared protocols on Thursday while Drummond cleared Monday.

Like Drummond and Milton, this marked Durant’s first game since the Dec. 16 matchup because of being in protocols.

The 11-time All-Star finished with 34 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in the meeting two weeks ago. On Thursday, Durant made 13-of-24 shots.

“There’s a lot of respect,” Embiid said of Durant. “I always tell people, I think I can do everything on the basketball court, and there’s not a lot of guys that are able to do it. If there was one player that I think is probably as talented, or more talented, than me, it’s definitely him.”

» READ MORE: Doc Rivers expressed his displeasure, but that doesn’t change the Sixers’ trend of playing down to undermanned teams | Keith Pompey

But the Nets were essentially a different team from the squad the Sixers faced earlier in the month.

Back then, Brooklyn had seven players — Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre’ Bembry, Bruce Brown, Jevon Carter, James Johnson, and Paul Millsap — sidelined due to protocols. They were all available Thursday night.

However, Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris were still out. Harris had left ankle surgery. Irving is ineligible play in New York due to being unvaccinated.

The Sixers will have three days off before hosting the Houston Rockets on Monday at the Wells Fargo Center. The Rockets are the Western Conference’s worst team at 10-25.