A huge win to start a huge 12-game stretch right before the All-Star break.

Thanks to a 38 assist performance on 46 field goals, it was a team effort by the Sixers to beat the Pacers 120-96. Jimmy Butler led the way with 27 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and three steals.

Joel Embiid also had a strong night with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists despite being questionable due to back tightness and battling it throughout the game. Would be interesting to see if he misses any games during this stretch because of that.

Ben Simmons also had a near triple-double with 11 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds.

It marked a great start for the stretch that will define who the Sixers are and what they will look like for the playoff run. But one game is obviously a small sample. Their next seven games are against Western Conference teams, with six of them currently in the top eight (Sacramento is 10th in the conference). While the first three games are home, the next four are on the road, and potentially colliding with the return of LeBron James to the Lakers.

As for the team’s next game, it’s against the Oklahoma City Thunder Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM on ABC.

The Roundup:

The Flyers made a trade last night. A small one. The team sent Taylor Leier to the Buffalo Sabres for right winger Justin Bailey. It’s more of a minor league trade.

Moving to the goalies, as Anthony writes how Carter Hart’s big win on Wednesday was more than a win for just the Flyers.

Backup goaltender Mike McKenna has Gritty on his new mask.

Some offseason moves have begun for the Eagles. Three assistant coaches will reportedly not return for the 2019 season.

Alshon Jeffery visited a second grade class after one of their students wrote a letter of encouragement to him. He’s a good dude.

It looked like the Saints were targeting Fletcher Cox on their fake punt in Sunday’s game. Cox responded to the criticism.

A really too early look at the 2019 roster, as well as the first Eagles-only mock draft.

In college hoops, a late comeback helped Drexel get past Towson 72-66. Sophomore Jarvis Doles scored a career-high 16 points. 13 of them came in the second half, and he also scored 13 straight as part of an 18-2 Drexel run.

In other sports news, this happened to Michael Beasley:

https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1086097002117677057

Maria Sharapova upset defending champion Caroline Wozniacki in the Australian Open.

Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette is challenging his void of guaranteed money.

In the news, the Upper Merion School District is closed due to a threat.

Donald Trump reportedly directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress.