Sixers' Doc Rivers Talks Tyrese Maxey's Defensive Development

On Monday, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Houston Rockets 123-104, making it their third win in a row, helping them climb through the Eastern Conference standings ahead of the upcoming All-Star break.

Joel Embiid and James Harden, amongst others, put on an offensive clinic against the Rockets, combining for 51 points in the victory.

Another star for the Sixers was Tyrese Maxey, who helped push their offense while the other two stars rested throughout the game, scoring 26 points on 63 percent shooting, showing that the third-year guard is back in full gear after struggling over the previous week.

Yet, it wasn't the former-Kentucky guard's offensive capabilities that caught the eye of Sixers' head coach Doc Rivers, with his developments on the defensive end being the focus of the spotlight.

"What he does for us changes the pace of the game when he comes in," said Rivers, "In the last four games, three or four games, I think his defense and ball pressure, he’s really starting to find what he can do and where he can help us on defense.”

The development of defense for Maxey is important as it was for his liability on the defensive end that the former-Kentucky guard lost his spot to De'Anthony Melton earlier on in the season.

According to Rivers, Maxey's defensive evolution came after discussions with the guard about the different facets of his game, including his physicality.

"Just us talking to him like what can you bring to the game offensively, when you get across half court, you get really small, but then when you're on the other side with the ball, you can use your quickness and be big," Rivers finished. "On the half court, we're getting him to be more physical, taking a stand where you're not gonna slide back anymore it's been good for us. We need it."

Declan Harris contributes to All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him on Twitter: @DecIanH.

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