Here's how Doc Rivers' Sixers are finding ways to win games they tended to lose last year

That’s the way to start a road trip.

The Philadelphia 76ers kicked off a four-game Western Conference swing with a 119-111 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.

It says a lot about the Sixers that they could defeat a quality opponent 2,800 miles from home by overcoming a horrendous second quarter in which the Kings hit 8 of 12 3-pointers – many of which were wide-open looks – as well as numerous uncontested layups en route to scoring 39 points in the period, as well as a subpar outing by Joel Embiid’s MVP-caliber standards (25 points, 17 rebounds).

“The first half was just too comfortable for them,” said Tobias Harris. “They were walking into 3s and we were too far back on too many guys. … In the fourth quarter, you really saw us locking in.”

They did it with defensive stopper Matisse Thybulle clamping down on explosive Sacramento guard De’Aaron Fox, who shot 3 for 13 in the final period after going 10 of 17 through the first three.

“I think the game slowed down for us and we were able to a better job against him as a team,” Thybulle said. “When you have a big (man behind me in Embiid), it makes it a lot easier.”

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At the other end, Harris tallied 12 of his 22 points in the fourth period on 4-for-5 shooting, with Embiid chipping in 10 points and making all six of his free throws. Harris and Embiid had struggled to a combined 25 points on 8-for-22 shooting through three quarters.

“They let it come to them,” said Sixers coach Doc Rivers. “In the second half, we had three plays we ran to their final option and got it to Tobias and Joel in their spots.”

The Sacramento game was just the latest example of the Sixers finding a way to win after tending to lose contests like that last season on the way to finishing sixth in the East. That they really believed they would prevail is one reason they’re 18-7 and lead the Eastern Conference.

There's no doubt the collective confidence has increased given a 9-1 record in games decided by eight points or less, compared to 21-15 during the regular season a year ago.

“I think it’s just the mentality we have, the guys we have, this year,” said Ben Simmons. “We know we can win games. We have that positivity of winning games even if we’re down 10 points going into the half or whatever it is. … We have to have that mentality throughout the season (and carry it into) the playoffs.”

Seth Curry provided an important offensive boost with 16 of his 22 points in the opening half as he keeps looking more like the player/shooter he was prior to missing seven games due to a positive COVID-19 test.

“He kind of saved us in that first half,” Rivers said. “It looked like him and Ben were the only two that had rhythm early on. It was good our guys realized it, including Joel, (so) they fed him and wanted to keep it going.”

With Rivers continuing to utilize a nine-man rotation – rookie guard Tyrese Maxey’s minutes have decreased to the point where he’s logged a total of 29 minutes over the past four games and didn’t play Tuesday – the Sixers face the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night. The trip ends with games against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon and the NBA-leading Utah Jazz (20-5) on Monday evening.

The Sixers turned in a flat performance last Thursday in a 121-105 home loss to the Blazers that Simmons sat out due to calf tightness. Portland didn’t have leading scorer Damian Lillard, who is expected to play this time, but is still without CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic.

It makes you wonder how long the Sixers’ opening-night starting five (14-0) can remain undefeated this season. Simmons doesn’t see why it won’t continue for at least another week.

“We want to win every game on this road trip,” said Simmons after Tuesday’s victory.

While the finale with Utah figures to be a real challenge, it’s important to have goals and to believe you can attain them. Winning games like they did against the Kings just makes those goals seem more reasonable.

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly