76ers Dominate Three Game Home-Stand: Defeating Hawks 126-104

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Atlanta Hawks finished their two-game series and the Sixers wrapped up their three-game home-stand on a high note Friday night, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 126-104. The Sixers have been absolutely dominant these past three games, taking care of business as they should against inferior opponents.
The 76ers started with their full starting lineup for the second straight game which seems like a rarity at this point, but you’d have to hope this becomes the norm for the remainder of the season. The Atlanta Hawks got star point guard Trae Young back in the starting lineup who has been sidelined the last four games. Joining Trae in the starting lineup were Tony Snell, Solomon Hill, John Collins, and Clint Capela.
This game started the complete opposite way as the last two have. Atlanta came with much more intensity, as expected, after being blown out from the jump on Wednesday. The Sixers trailed for the first time in two games, with the Hawks going on a 13-0 run at one point in the first.
The Sixers finished the first quarter on a strong note, ending the quarter on a 15-5 run and decreasing the Hawks lead to just three, by a score of 26-23. Aggressive Ben was on full display in the first playing almost the entirety of the quarter and finishing with ten points, matching Trae Young’s 10 points as the first quarter’s leading scorers.
The second quarter was controlled by Philadelphia, the second unit coming in and immediately producing, giving the Sixers the lead early on in the quarter. The starters then came in and built on the lead. The team outscored Atlanta 42-23 in the second quarter, closing out the half with a 65-46 lead. The Sixers scoring was led by Joel Embiid’s 15 and Ben Simmons’ 14 along with 22 points from the bench. Trae Young was the Hawks and the half’s leading scorer with 16 points.
The Sixers all-star duo were working together perfectly in the second quarter and it becomes clearer and clearer that these two are just straight up better with each other on the court. Evidence: this highlight.
The third quarter consisted of much of the same results, as the starting unit has looked close to unstoppable these past three games. Ben Simmons was doing what he does best all night, and that’s being involved in almost every play on both sides of the court. In addition, Trae Young absolutely put on a show in the third quarter building his points total up to 32 points, despite the lack of production from the rest of his team. The Sixers closed out the third quarter with a 94-77 lead. Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid all with 18 apiece, and would finish with these totals.
In other news, Kris Dunn is still so mad he’s terrible at basketball.
For the third straight game, the 76ers bench played the entire fourth quarter and have not disappointed. These blowouts could be instrumental for this upcoming stretch as the Sixers play 5 games in 7 days next week and the starters could use every minute of rest.
The veteran Dwight Howard was the team’s leading scorer, pouring in a season-high 19 points along with, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks, continuing to prove his vast importance to this team. The entire bench totaled 60 points, outscoring the Hawks bench 60-41.
One bench highlight came from “BBall Paul”, as he pulled off this absolute beauty of an exchange in the fourth.
The Sixers closed out the game with a final score of 126-104. Winning their third straight game by 20-plus points, absolutely dominating and taking care of business on this home-stand. The Sixers outscored opponents these past three games 374-277, a 97 point margin, the largest margin of victory over three games in franchise history.
The Sixers did exactly what you wanted them and expect them to do these past three games, not playing down to their opponents and strictly taking care of business. The Sixers have been beyond fun to watch on this home-stand and Sixers fans should be excited to watch this team close out the year.
As stated earlier, the Sixers will play five games in seven days next week and will start that stretch in San Antonio against The Spurs on Sunday at 8:00 PM EST.