I think we all tuned into the Sixers game last night wondering what Spurs player would score 50 points. We also tuned in to see how the team and coaches would respond to the disappointing loss to the Indiana Pacers.
The Sixers were the “home team” in this game and it was really cool to see them use all of the sounds and intros that are played in the Wells Fargo Center. Ron Brooks was recorded singing the National Anthem and if you have been to any home games, you know he is a fan favorite. The intros were also played from the Wells Fargo home games as well. It truly got me hype as if it were a true home game. All we needed were the away team starting line-up intros for to yell “SUCKS!” after every player is announced. All of the free throw sounds and music during the game were played as well. Now let’s recap the game.
The first quarter was a back and forth affair with Demar DeRozan catching fire early. He had 9 of the Spurs’ first 13 points. It started to bring me flashbacks of TJ Warren. In the later part of the first quarter, Rudy Gay was inserted and immediately started hitting shots from every level. Ultimately the Sixers led by 3 after the first quarter, after a Shake Milton full court sprint to a scoop left-handed lay-up. After the quarter ended, we saw Joel Embiid helping Shake Milton up off the floor, which is better than the two arguing like in the Pacers game.
The second quarter was much of the same, with the 76ers having a lead of 8 points for a few moments. Josh Richardson showed up for the team in the first half with Ben Simmons in foul trouble and Embiid not scoring as much as he usually does. Richardson had 12 points at halftime and Tobias Harris was steady with 13 points. For the Spurs, DeRozan led them with 17 at the break and Rudy Gay not far behind with 15 points.
The third quarter is where Joel Embiid started to impose his will. He scored from the post and made the right plays out of the double teams. When the double team came, he would pass to the open wing or spin fade away from it. Everything looked easy for the big fella and the Sixers built a 14-point lead. Ben Simmons was plagued with foul trouble throughout this one and picked up his 5th foul in the 3rd quarter. He did have one ridiculous pass that led to a corner three.
The fourth quarter started out with the Sixers in control, but the same issues plagued them in this game as it did the last game. Turnovers and no defense were the main theme of the quarter and next thing you know the Sixers are down 4 points with a minute to go. Fast forward to the final seconds of the fourth with Ben Simmons fouled out; the Sixers had a line-up of Embiid, Horford, Milton, Harris, and Richardson. The home team is down 130-128. Shake Milton inbounded the ball to Horford who then passed it directly back to him and BANG, Shake shoots and hits the game winning 3-pointer with 6 seconds left. Shake was open because his defender sank into the paint to help deny Embiid the ball, which left Milton wide open. The 76ers had to play one more defensive possession to stop the Spurs and they locked all windows and doors on Demar DeRozan. Embiid ended the game with an intentionally missed free throw to let the time run out and the Sixers escaped 132-130.
Although the Sixers won this game, there are some things that are plaguing this team that drives the fans crazy. It appears Head Coach Brett Brown still hasn’t figured out the rotation and it’s hurting the Sixers. Alec Burks, in my opinion is a better option than Raul Neto but Brown insists on playing Neto. Also, the fourth quarter defense and offense has been horrendous these past two games. They allowed the Spurs to score 43 points and allowed the Pacers to score 46 points in the last period. Brown needs to figure out that early rotation or it can lead to doom for the Sixers going forward. Joel Embiid lead the team in scoring with 27 points. Followed by Tobias Harris, who had another steady game with 25 points. Rounding out the Sixers scoring was Josh Richardson (19), Shake Milton (16), and Furkan Korkmaz (12). Demar DeRozan led the way for the Spurs with 30 points. This game seemed like much needed redemption for Shake after his last performance. The kid is going to grow into this role, and we are going to have to roll with the outcome.
The 76ers’ next opponent will be the Washington Wizards, with tip off at 4:00PM on Wednesday. 76th and Broad will be back to recap that one on Wednesday.
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