BBNBA: Maxey steps up vs. champs

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The NBA made the smart call on Tuesday, scheduling just three games to go up against college basketball’s big opening tonight. Only two included former ‘Cats, so this post should be shorter than Sahvir Wheeler sans shoes. But still, to the surprise of absolutely nobody, one man managed to steal the show on Champions Classic night. This is that man’s story.

Maxey’s moment not enough to stop Bucks

If you were like me last night, in need of something to keep you awake from the end of the Kansas-Michigan State game to the start of UK-Duke, you may have flipped over to TNT to catch the end of the NBA’s primetime matchup between the Bucks and 76ers. If you did, you may have been disappointed to see that Philadelphia’s four best players — Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and Seth Curry — were all inactive due to various injuries, safety protocols and general petulance. Facing Giannis Antetokounmpo and the defending champions, that’s a tough draw.

Thankfully for the Sixers, they had one more card up their star-spangled sleeves, and he happens to like Tuesday nights in November. Sensing that sweet, sweet smell of opportunity, Tyrese Maxey stepped up in a big way.

The second-year guard came out of the gates firing. After missing his first shot, he made his next six, including a couple of swaggering threes that no doubt had Cassius Winston quivering in his sneakers somewhere. By quarter’s end, Maxey had 17 points and the Sixers led by nine.

17 points in the first quarter. @TyreseMaxey, GO OFF!! pic.twitter.com/X2hEPriByS
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 10, 2021

However, with Jrue Holiday now glued to Maxey, the Bucks roared back in the second period with a 23-6 run that gave them the lead heading into the half. They held that advantage until late in the third, when Tyrese found Andre Drummond with a great pass in transition to tie the game:

Maxey ➡️ Drummond, a thing of beauty. 😎 pic.twitter.com/JgJHm6AsnA
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 10, 2021

The undermanned Sixers held a lead as late as the five-minute mark of the fourth quarter, when Maxey dropped a slick running floater to reach 31 points, putting them up 102-101. Unfortunately, another Bucks run led by Antetokounmpo and Grayson Allen (blegh) proved just enough to put it away, as Milwaukee went on to win 118-109.

Maxey finished with 31, five rebounds and four assists, a season-high in scoring. Outside of Shake Milton’s 20 points and a 17-and-20 effort from Drummond, he got little help. Still, that was fun, right?

Philadelphia will hope to get back on track Thursday, as they face the Raptors at home before embarking on a two-week road trip. All eyes will be on Maxey, but as we all know, that’s just how he likes it.

Bledsoe, Clippers cruise by Blazers

I gotta say, it’s good to see Eric Bledsoe getting a fresh start back where it all started. After a few tumultuous years in Milwaukee and New Orleans, the veteran guard is back with the Clippers this year, and he’s playing pretty well. Through 10 games this season, Bledsoe is averaging 8.8 points, 4.2 assists and he’s seventh in the league among guards with nearly two steals per contest. Even when his shot isn’t falling, he’s earned the respect of his teammates, especially Paul George.

Last night, he filled the stat sheet in L.A.’s 117-109 win over Portland. Bledsoe finished with 11 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals. With George, Reggie Jackson and Nicolas Batum combining for a portly 69 points in the game, it was more than enough to secure the win for the Clippers, their fifth in a row.

The final margin was comfortable enough for Ty Lue to entrust B.J. Boston with a whole 26 seconds of P.T. at the end, which was surely a thrill for the young man. You can catch him briefly celebrating his teammates at the 9:25 mark of the below video. It’s the little things!

The Clips will put their winning streak to the test tomorrow night, as they’re take on Bam Adebayo and the first-place Heat at 10:30.