Tyrese Maxey Explains 76ers’ Mentality Hitting Road to Face Nets

Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers have to stay grounded ahead of Game 3 against the Nets.

Being the third seed in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers hosted the Brooklyn Nets for the first two games of the first-round series. 

In both matchups that took place in South Philly, the Sixers found success. Game 1 was a beatdown that featured a Brooklyn team never finding themselves in the lead. While the Nets executed their game plan slightly better in Game 2, the Sixers formed a comeback to come out on top.

With a 2-0 lead, the Sixers are set to pay a visit to the Nets for the next two games. Despite being out in front, two games away from advancing to the second round, the Sixers aren’t getting too cocky. 

After their Game 1 blowout against the Nets, the Sixers preached that Game 2 will be the toughest and most important of the series. Heading into Game 3, Tyrese Maxey mentioned that the Sixers are going into the battle with the same approach.

“Technically, the next game ahead of us is always the most important game,” said Maxey. “Regular season, playoffs, whatever. This is gonna be an important game. They're gonna come out there, in front of their home fans, they're gonna go out there and play desperate as they should. I mean, it's how the playoffs go. So, they're gonna go out there trying to compete their hardest.”

Remaining Humble

Brooklyn made improvements from their playoff debut going into Game 2. As Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn mentioned he didn’t want to over-adjust, he wanted to see his team run with a similar gameplan but have better execution. 

Meanwhile, Doc Rivers and the Sixers have to remain humble as they anticipate a tough Game 3.

“Our job is to make sure we stay grounded,” said Rivers. “You know, the goal was four. We got two. Now the goal is way more than four. We have to keep getting better. Like, there are a lot of things that that we have to do to be a better basketball team and be better in this series. And so we're going on the road and you got to anticipate they play better. And so we have to get better.”

“It’s hard, everybody has pride in this league, and teams want to win at the end of the day,” Maxey added. “They want to fight and fight their tails off until they’re dead in the water. You have to do that. You have to go out there and you have to put your foot on them and really figure out a way to win games. It’s gonna be hard. It’s gonna be a tough, hostile environment. They’re gonna play their best, and sometimes there are some moments we won’t be our best, but we still have to find a way to come out on top.”

Don't Fall Into a Pattern

Last season, the Sixers found early success in the first round of the playoffs against the Toronto Raptors. Through the first three games of the series, the Sixers placed the Raptors’ backs against the wall and had them facing a sweep. Over Games 4 and 5, Toronto bounced back and made it a series.

Maxey and the Sixers now have to make sure they don’t fall into a similar pattern.

“I mean, we try to take care of business as much as we can,” Maxey explained. “I mean, we’re going to go out there and fight for ourselves. I know for a fact this group is healthy and resilient. So it makes us dangerous. I feel like we've been doing a great job of just going out there competing, in-game adjustments to help us as well. So, we’re gonna go out there and see what’s popping in Brooklyn.”

The Sixers and the Nets are set to tip off at 7:30 PM on Thursday.