Sixers discuss importance of beating Hornets in terms of standings
· Yahoo Sports
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It's late in the NBA season and every game matters for the Philadelphia 76ers as they look to climb into the top 6 in the Eastern Conference. A matchup with the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday was a big one for both teams as Spectrum Center was rocking.
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The Sixers entered as the No. 7 seed, the Hornets were the No. 8 seed, and only one game separated the teams in the standings. The winner earned the tiebreaker and both teams played like it was hugely important.
Charlotte had opened a 15-point lead in the third quarter, but the Sixers never quit as they battled back to win it 118-114. Philadelphia battled through a hostile environment and now has a 2-game lead on the Hornets and owns the tiebreaker.
"I think both teams were aware," said Paul George. "We were 7 and 8 in the seeding, I believe. This is where we gotta kinda pull away. So, yeah. It was definitely an emphasis tonight to win. For sure."
The Hornets have been one of the league's best stories as they have completely turned their season around following an 11-23 start. Charlotte has clinched at least a play-in spot for the first time since 2022 and will look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Hornets still have work to do, but there is a chance for them to get the job done.
The fans inside Spectrum Center knew it, too, as they showed up for their team. It was an atmosphere not seen inside that arena for quite some time.
"1000%," added Kelly Oubre Jr. "This is the loudest I've ever heard Spectrum, and I played here. So the crowd was here. They obviously anticipated this matchup, and they're trying to make a push, just like we are. So every game from here on out is going to be like that, and it is pretty much that time of year."
In the end, it pays to have veterans. The Sixers have a lot of players who have been in these situations before led by George, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Kyle Lowry, and plenty of others. The Hornets, as great of a story as they've been, have yet to go through the battles that will sharpen them and make them a tough team to beat. The Sixers have been through those wars and they relied on their poise and resolve.
"I mean, we got veteran leadership as far as, like, Kyle and Process, and PG," added Maxey. "Those guys, they knew the moment, and, I mean, me, I played in a few playoffs myself, so I kind of knew the moment. I think everybody did a really good job of responding. Everybody was really good. Drum (Andre Drummond) was really good. Kelly was really good. VJ (Edgecombe) made some hell of a plays."
The Sixers will now head to South Florida to take on the Miami Heat on Monday night in another big matchup.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers discuss importance of beating Hornets in terms of standings