Behind a spectacular performance by Tyrese Maxey, the Philadelphia 76ers eked out a tough 131-127 win on the road against the Houston Rockets.

A 2023-24 Most-Improved-Player-award frontrunner and potential All-Star-Game starter, Maxey poured in a game-high 42 points on 13-of-26 from the field and 14-of-15 from the line, while also contributing 4 rebounds and 4 assists. 

After starting the season 0-4 when reigning MVP Joel Embiid does not play, the Sixers have now won two-straight games without their starting center. They beat the Orlando Magic two nights ago in a blowout, which was also on the road.

A big part of their recent success is Maxey, who usually handles the scoring load when Embiid takes his rest. The 23-year-old guard sizzled in the second quarter of this game, scoring 19 of his 42 points.

Tobias Harris provided ample support with a 22-4-7-4-3 statline, while Marcus Morris helped put the game away with a four-point play with only 32 seconds left. The Sixers improve to 22-9, which is the third-best record in the Eastern Conference.

Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet combined for 64 points, but it was not enough as the Rockets lost their third game in a row. Houston is now 15-15 on the season, which is the 10th-best record in the Western Conference.