Multiple Sixers react to De’Anthony Melton’s career night to beat Lakers
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PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers needed somebody to step up on Friday as they played host to the Los Angeles Lakers. While Joel Embiid and James Harden had big nights of their own, the Sixers needed somebody to step up and provide just a bit more to knock off the star-studded Lakers.
Philadelphia was able to get that extra production from De’Anthony Melton as he had a helluva night going for a career-high 33 points, a career-high seven steals, and he drilled a career-high eight triples. All of that helped the Sixers come away with a 133-122 overtime win over the Lakers that featured a furious fourth quarter comeback from LA to force the extra session.
Afterward, the Sixers sang the praises of Melton for what he was able to do on Friday.
Coach Doc Rivers on Melton
“He was unbelievable. His shooting is elite. Especially, from the break which is rare. Most guys are corner shooters, he’s not, his hands. I think it was 53 deflections that we had and I think it was less, but I know he had half of them. Literally, he had half of our deflections in one basketball game and half of his deflections had nothing to do with the play. Like he’s on the weak side, he’s just uncanny. The blocked shot was incredible, the steal, the cross-court pass where he just jumped up and caught it, I’m telling you. That’s rare and he’s been unbelievable for us. Joel and James down the stretch, and Tobias (Harris) had a stretch, but De’Anthony Melton was huge tonight for us.”
Harris on Melton
“He had a helluva night. Just sticking with it and he was able to make big shot after big shot. Second half, we found him. He got great looks and outside of the offense, which was spectacular, the defense by him and being able to be in passing lanes, get steals, he has great instincts so he was amazing tonight to have a career night. We definitely don’t win that game without him. Hats off to him because he played a helluva game.”
Matisse Thybulle on Melton
“Dude’s awesome. He’s been having an amazing season and if anyone deserves a night like this, he does, and he works really hard, and plays the right way. He has a great spirit and I’m really happy for him.”
Melton explains his big night
“Honestly, on offense, my teammates were just finding me. Some of those passes, the way they got through, I don’t think they thought it was gonna get through, but they was getting there, they kept finding me, they kept leaving me open, and I kept shooting it and shooting with confidence.”
Was Melton surprised the Lakers left him open so much?
“We got so many guys that draw attention that it opens up space for other players so tonight was my night and my teammates kept finding me and I just kept finding the open spot.”
