NBA: Sixers smash Pacers again as Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid shine

Tyrese Maxey collected 32 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and Joel Embiid added 27 points to fuel the Philadelphia 76ers to a 135-114 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Maxey made 10 of 22 shots from the floor and all 10 attempts from the free-throw line for the 76ers, who erupted for 45 points in the second quarter and shot a sizzling 57.6% for the game.

Embiid sank 11 of 17 shots from the floor in his return from a five-game absence due to knee and shin issues. The former NBA MVP has tormented Indiana this season, erupting for 39 points in Philadelphia's 115-105 win over the Pacers on Dec. 12 and adding 30 in a 113-104 victory on Jan. 19.

Rookie VJ Edgecombe recorded 23 points and seven rebounds and Quentin Grimes added 15 points off the bench.

Philadelphia seized its second win in a row following a four-game losing skid and handed Indiana its fourth straight loss and eighth in its last 10 games.

The Pacers played without four-time All-Star Pascal Siakam due to a wrist injury he sustained takes a charge from Khris Middleton late in Sunday's game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Micah Potter scored a season-high 23 points and Andrew Nembhard matched that total to lead the Pacers.

Philadelphia erased an eight-point deficit by scoring the first 17 points of the second quarter, capped by a fadeaway jumper from Maxey at the 9:29 mark. The 76ers extended their advantage to 15 points at 66-51 before settling for a 10-point lead at halftime.

Nembhard sank a 10-foot jumper to bring Indiana within seven at 88-81 with 4:52 remaining in the third quarter. Philadelphia, however, ignited an 18-4 run to end the quarter, capped by Maxey making a nasty spin move before sinking a pull-up jumper and two free throws.

Trendon Watford went coast-to-coast against a generous Pacers defense and added a short floater to extend the 76ers' lead to 121-93 midway into the fourth quarter.

-Field Level Media/Reuters