Sixers offense hums in drubbing of the Kings

That was easy. too easy.The Sixers rolled the Sacramento Kings Tuesday night, 123-103. James Harden, and the team at large, caught fire in the second quarter, putting up 41 points and taking a 25-point lead into the break that they wouldn't give back. They've started their seven-game homestand with three straight wins and sit at 15-12 overall.Harden had one of his best performances of the season, dropping 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting, along with seven boards and 15 assists. Joel Embiid had another casual 30-point night, putting up 31 points on just 16 shots. The Sixers were without De'Anthony Melton, who has been dealing with back stiffness for some time now. Matisse Thybulle replaced him in the starting lineup. Danuel House Jr. also missed his third straight game with a foot laceration Georges Niang Jersey, despite being listed as probable. Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.First quarterThybulle picked up two fouls within the first 40 seconds of the game, forcing him to the bench only two minutes into the game. Not ideal when you're short on guard depth. Ultimately, this ended up not mattering that much!The whistles would become a pattern in the opening period. Embiid drew two early fouls on Domantas Sabonis, and then three on Sabonis' replacement, Neemias Queta. The big fella took nine free throws in the first quarter alone. The highlight of Embiid's 16-point first had to be when he blocked Davion Mitchell, recovered, and found Tobias Harris for a dunk in transition. Harris had himself quite the first quarter, putting up 14 points on 10 shots. A 39-point first quarter gave Philly a seven-point lead. Embiid. Harris. That is all. NBC Sports Philadelphia December 14, 2022Second quarterI had a De'Anthony Melton joke lined up for James Harden, as he had four steals before taking a shot, then caught fire from the field. He is the only NBA player since 1997 to have at least 15 points, 10 assists and five steals in a half, per Stathead. Harden certainly had his jumper falling, but he was also phenomenal as a facilitator during this stretch, as his 10 first-half assists would indicate. He did an excellent job of drawing double teams and setting up his teammates. He found P.J. Tucker for a couple threes and was even able to get Embiid some wide-open driving lanes. get out the wayyyyy.big fella comin' through Philadelphia 76ers December 14, 2022Everything was coming up Sixers in the second quarter. But something they really did well during this time was ending possessions. Through the first 14 minutes of the game Jaden Springer Jersey, the Kings grabbed seven offensive rebounds. They only grabbed one during the last 10 minutes of the half, as the Sixers took a 25-point lead into the break.