Heading into last night’s Game 6 game in Atlanta, the message was clear: Win or Die Trying. The 76ers, although it wasn’t pretty throughout the majority of the game, found a way to win on the road and force a Game 7 tomorrow in South Philadelphia. It was an ugly win for the 76ers with the odds stacked up against them all night. From the opposing crowd, to the referees calling an extremely biased game, to the announcers blatantly rooting for Trae Young and Atlanta, it was a recipe for disaster for the Sixers. Luckily, none of that mattered, Seth Curry led the way for Philadelphia shooting lights out from beyond the arc while the stars struggled until late.

Curry caught fire when the 76ers needed it most, trailing by double digits, to finish the night, Seth had 24 points while shooting a very nice 6/9 from three. The hero nobody expected tonight was rookie Tyrese Maxey. Maxey stepped up big time, providing 16 points off the bench in 29 minutes while helping to contain Trae Young late in the game. 

For the 76ers big three, tonight was not their night. Ben Simmons was caught in foul trouble early and was often substituted on offense to combat Atlanta’s hack-a-Ben strategy but came up huge with a blocked shot on Trae Young in the fourth. Joel Embiid was 2/7 early with five turnovers but found his rhythm once foul calls went his way. To finish the night, Embiid had 22 points and 13 boards.

Atlanta choked with the spotlight on them and everything going their way. The referees refused to call a foul on them, with the 76ers shooting just three free throws until the fourth. When given the huge FT differential, the Hawks shot a brutal 13/24 from the line. Watching this game on national television was near impossible and was best viewed while muted. The announcers used every opportunity they could to praise Trae Young and hype up Atlanta. Even when the 76ers had huge plays, they were monotone until Young would hit a shot. 

Now the 76ers will have one final shot to close out the series at Wells Fargo Center Sunday night. The atmosphere is going to be electric and should help the 76ers gain a massive competitive edge. If Joel Embiid brings it as he should, the 76ers should have an excellent chance to move to the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Mandatory Credit:  Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports