Sixers Find Their Spark - and Maybe Some Momentum - in Gritty Win Over Mavericks
PHILADELPHIA - For a team that’s been searching all season for consistency, the Philadelphia 76ers might’ve just found a heartbeat.
Less than 24 hours after toppling the NBA Cup champion New York Knicks in their own building, the Sixers returned home and pulled off another impressive win - this time without Joel Embiid or Paul George - against a physically imposing Dallas Mavericks squad. That’s two straight gritty, grind-it-out victories for a team that’s struggled to string them together. And with one of the league’s bottom-dwellers coming to town Tuesday, the Sixers suddenly have a chance to build something.
Let’s break down how Philly outlasted Dallas, 121-114, and what it tells us about where this team is headed.
Fourth-Quarter Firestorm Flips the Script
The Sixers have made a habit of stumbling out of the halftime locker room, and Saturday night was no exception. Dallas came out swinging in the third, outscoring Philly 35-23 and seizing control of the game with a 10-0 burst. But if the third quarter has been a problem, the fourth has been their sanctuary.
And once again, the Sixers saved their best for last.
Down by double digits, Philly exploded out of the gates in the final frame with a 21-7 blitz in the first five minutes. It started with a Jared McCain three, followed by another from Adem Bona.
Jabari Walker added a putback dunk that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Then Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe did what they’ve been doing all season - making plays on both ends and pushing the tempo.
It was an unconventional five-man group - McCain, Bona, Walker, Maxey, and Edgecombe - one that hadn’t shared the floor all season. But they clicked instantly, playing with the kind of synergy and energy that overwhelmed a Mavericks team built on size and strength.
Dallas made a final push late, but that same five closed the game out, playing the final 13-plus minutes and never letting go of the lead.
A Clash of Styles - and a Statement of Identity
This one was always going to be a battle of contrasts.
Dallas rolled into town with a lineup that looked more like an NFL front seven than an NBA rotation. Outside of undersized point guard Ryan Nembhard, the Mavericks are big across the board.
Naji Marshall is a tank at the two, Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington bring size and athleticism on the wings, and Anthony Davis continues to anchor the middle like a future Hall of Famer.
Off the bench? Daniel Gafford and Klay Thompson.
That’s a lot of length, muscle, and experience.
The Sixers, meanwhile, were without George, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Trendon Watford. That left Nick Nurse with just three true forwards: Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker, and Justin Edwards. Rather than try to match size with size - a losing battle given the personnel - Nurse leaned into his guards and spacing, starting Quentin Grimes alongside Maxey and Edgecombe in a three-guard look.
And it worked.
Philly played faster, moved the ball better, and stretched Dallas out defensively. The Sixers knew they’d need to bring a certain edge to hang with a bigger, more physical team - especially on the second night of a back-to-back. They did just that, playing with urgency and grit, and letting their guards dictate the tempo.
Maxey and Edgecombe both caught fire at different points, and that floor spacing gave Barlow room to operate inside. For a team that’s often struggled to find its identity, this was a night where the Sixers leaned into who they are - and it paid off.
Quick Hits from the Win
**• Dominick Barlow was everywhere in the first half. **
The 22-year-old forward poured in a season-high 16 points before halftime, attacking open driving lanes and making quick reads with the ball in his hands. He’s become increasingly comfortable deciding when to hand off or go downhill, and Dallas gave him enough space to exploit.
He also added a highlight-reel swat and a pair of steals, plus a rare corner three in the second half - his first in nearly two weeks. For a player on a two-way deal, Barlow continues to punch well above his weight.
**• Quentin Grimes is still searching for rhythm. **
After a rough outing in New York, Grimes struggled again on Saturday. The shot isn’t falling, and his drives feel rushed.
He’s always played with a bit of chaos in his game, but slowing down just a hair could help him find his footing again. The Sixers need his shooting to come around - especially with George and Oubre sidelined.
**• Adem Bona bounced back in a big way. **
After a tough first half at the Garden, Bona helped swing that game with a strong second half - and he carried that momentum into this one. He gave the Sixers valuable minutes in both halves, capped by a clutch corner three during the fourth-quarter surge.
It was a big moment for the rookie, who’s steadily earning more trust from the coaching staff.
What’s Next
The Sixers will look to keep the good times rolling on Tuesday night when they host the Brooklyn Nets. Given the way this team has struggled to build on big wins, that game might tell us even more than these last two.
For now, though, the vibes are good in Philly - and there’s finally a little momentum to build on.