The Philadelphia 76ers had a chance to get an impressive win on Wednesday night when they played host to a very good Houston Rockets team. The Sixers had two days off while the Rockets entered on the second night of a back-to-back and were in overtime on Tuesday in Minnesota.

Unlike in their previous loss against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Sixers showed consistent fight and focus from the outset. Facing a team with far superior athleticism, depth, size and length — not to mention talent, given the Sixers' many notable absences — the Sixers were able to hang in there.

The 76ers are focused on “staying together” because they know the alternative will lead to a downward spiral. That mindset led to a great effort. But one has to wonder how long will they be able to “stay together” while compiling loss after loss.

Tyrese Maxey and the shorthanded Sixers couldn't pull off an overtime win Wednesday night, falling to a 122-115 defeat to the Rockets.