Instant observations: Sixers falter late in disappointing loss to Heat

Another roller coaster The Sixers had to know the Heat were ready to throw a first-quarter haymaker in the circumstances. Miami was coming off a disappointing loss to Indiana and was desperate for a win to help their play-in positioning, hoping to seize tiebreaker rights over the Sixers. And the Heat have also been an elite first-quarter team on offense, as they showed by dropping 38 in a big-time shooting display in South Beach.

The Sixers were only down four after that first quarter, and they mostly had Paul George to thank. I sort of assumed George would take a step back after two huge games post-suspension, but he continues to play inspired basketball, showing off a more explosive and physical approach as a driver to get himself going. We got a rare George dunk early in this one, with George making a decisive move to the hoop for two points.

These used to be cause for raucous celebration, almost sarcastic cheers from his teammates for the old man who can’t really fly anymore. Elsewhere, George continues to be a massive part of their best defensive possessions, the player best equipped physically and mentally to execute Nick Nurse’s help-heavy style. George always appears to be close enough to get his hand on the ball as a helper without losing sight of where his original assignment is.

It took a while longer for some of his other stars to get into this one. Tyrese Maxey’s box score impact lagged behind his quality of play, and I thought you could have argued he should have double or even triple the number of helpers based on the quality of his passing. It was a direct retort to anyone who has ever said he isn’t a point guard, with advanced reads from all over the floor, with perfect pace and placement on his passes.