76ers’ First Regulation Win Comes Against Nets, 113-98

The 76ers finally recorded their first regulation win of the season, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 113-98. This victory also marked their first NBA Cup win.

Notably, they achieved this feat without Paul George and Joel Embiid. Embiid is expected to miss their next game on Sunday against the Clippers.

Here are the takeaways from tonight’s game:

McCain’s Hot Start Continues

Jared McCain‘s incredible start to the season showed no signs of slowing down, and tonight was no exception. His stat line: 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 6-for-11 from three-point range.

McCain currently sits atop the NBA’s Kia Rookie of the Year Ladder and holds the shortest odds for Rookie of the Year at +155, according to DraftKings.

Just five games into his NBA career, McCain is already drawing comparisons to Stephen Curry. Tonight, he was practically unstoppable, strengthening his case for a starting role even when the team is fully healthy. McCain has demonstrated he can be an effective point guard alongside Tyrese Maxey, commanding the offense with poise and efficiency.

His early success raises intriguing questions about the team’s long-term roster construction, and he appears poised to remain a significant contributor for years to come.

The Game That Almost Got Away

Despite the final score, tonight’s game wasn’t without its challenges.

The Sixers trailed by as many as eight points midway through the third quarter, largely due to a stellar performance from Cameron Johnson. Johnson posted a game-high 37 points, including nine three-pointers, and consistently hit difficult shots that the Sixers struggled to contest.

Without George, the Sixers lacked a strong defensive presence to counter an athletic wing like Johnson. Ultimately, they secured the win thanks to standout performances from McCain and Maxey. Maxey finished with 26 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including nine crucial points in the fourth quarter. His defense also shone in the final stretch, taking on tough assignments against both Cam Thomas and Johnson. Maxey’s two-way play was instrumental in closing out the game.

How Are Their Playoff Odds Affected?

Heading into this game, the 76ers were listed at -215 to make the playoffs—a curious line considering only six of 96 teams in NBA history that started 2-12 have ever made the playoffs. With their record now at 3-12, the odds remain unchanged at -215. However, Basketball Reference gives the 76ers just a 4.3% chance to make the playoffs, illustrating a notable discrepancy between Vegas sportsbooks and statistical models.

Why the divergence? It’s not entirely clear. Vegas appears hesitant to give the Sixers plus-money odds for making the playoffs, possibly due to significant betting interest in their favor.

Had the Sixers lost tonight, their playoff hopes would have taken a severe hit. A loss would have required them to play 19 games above .500 for the rest of the season to reach 45 wins—a realistic benchmark for a playoff team. While tonight’s victory keeps them alive, the path ahead remains daunting.

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