PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers got back in the win column on Tuesday night as they knocked off the Milwaukee Bucks 139-122. The win halted a 2-game skid and got them back moving in the right direction following a blowout loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.
Paul George played a big role in the win as he had 32 points and knocked down a franchise-tying nine 3-pointers on 15 attempts. He scored 22 points after halftime as he shot 8-for-13 from the floor and 6-for-10 from deep after halftime on Tuesday. It was a night that really shows how good the Sixers can be when George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey all play on the floor.
The star trio combined for 83 points as they were nearly unstoppable for the Bucks on Tuesday. One has to wonder what this team's contender status is in a wide-open Eastern Conference, but George is confident in Philadelphia.
"Absolutely," George said if Philadelphia is a serious contender. "I think we're right there with the New York Knicks, with the Clevelands. I think we're right in the mix. When things are clicking, and we're playing the right way, and we're firing on all cylinders, we still have the one unguardable player, and that's the trump card. So, yeah, absolutely, we got a chance."
To George's point, Embiid has been terrific. The big fella has begun to look like himself again and that can be the difference for the Sixers going forward, but with that being said, there have been some up and down performances against the better teams in the East.
The Sixers have an 8-11 record against the seven other East teams that are above .500. They are also 0-4 against the middling Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks. The potential is, obviously, there for Philadelphia, but it has to find some consistency going forward.
It doesn't help that the Big 3 hasn't been able to string too many games together, so that could be a reason for the up and down performances, but the Sixers need to find a way to climb up the standings in the East.
"Not sure," George said when asked about the up and down performances. "I'm not sure. Some games are just flat. Some games just, you know, it doesn't flow as it should. I wish I could pinpoint why, but it's the NBA. Some games, it's just the ball rolls that way, and our job is to try to be on the same page as much as possible."
The Sixers will play host to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Paul George gives statement on Sixers' contender status in the East
