The Philadelphia 76ers have won six straight games. Last night they defeated the Houston Rockets 135-115, improving their lead atop the Eastern Conference over the Brooklyn Nets to two games. Their magic number to finish the season as the number one seed is now four.

The Sixers starting five continue to dominate opponents early and often. As Joel Embiid said after the game “we haven’t been playing anyone good so it’s hard to get excited”, I’m well aware that the Houston Rockets are dog water but the importance of the Sixers’ starters continuing to find rhythm heading into the playoffs is extremely important.

Danny Green started the game a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, Ben Simmons had 10 points in the first quarter which included a beautiful fade away jump shot in the post, and the Sixers’ defense was suffocating. Matisse Thybulle logged two steals and two blocks in the first four minutes of play.

The Sixers would dial in at the end of the first half to take a 75-63 lead into halftime, and tie their second highest first half point total of the season.

The team would continue to shoot the ball good in the third quarter. Kevin Porter Jr exited the game in the third quarter with a left ankle sprain and wouldn’t return, which would leave the Rockets with just six healthy players. The Sixers took advantage of the exhausted Rockets lineup, going at them every way possible throughout the third quarter. Shake Milton would hit a time expiring three, putting the Sixers up 108-91 with twelve minutes to play.

The Sixers would cruise through the fourth quarter and put away the Rockets by a final score of 135-115. The starters were on the good old fashioned rest management and were able to sit the fourth quarter. The team is now two games up in the East on the next with just six games to play.

Up Next: The Sixers are back in action on Friday as they return home to the Wells Fargo Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans at 7:00pm.

Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams / USA Today Sports