SUBJECT: PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (14-14)
GAME 2 OF 2
12/15 v. OKC • L, 119-117 • 3OT!
BARO
Philly's second game of the week, an evening showcase v. OKC, proved encouraging despite the OT loss. It took 63 minutes for OKC to finally dispatch the pesky, upstart Sixers, led by Joel Embiid: career-high 48 min. played, 34 pts, 8 boards & dimes.
For a good majority of the second half, and deep into all 3 overtimes, Philly ran the offense thru Embiid, who feasted w/ a variety of opportunities in the lane. With Ben Simmons playing more of a patient floor game (12 pts on 10 FGAs, 11 dimes, 9 boards, 4 steals), Embiid took advantage of extra touches and produced big time.
The only problem, however, was taking care of the rock. PHI committed 21 TOs, a couple coming late w/ opportunities to either tie or win the game.
That said, the offensive movement was nice (35 dimes!) & Philly's young starting five got valuable experience* playing a solid interconference opponent.
A 1-1 week isn't too bad all things considered.
*sounds a bit sophomoric but this game should be called upon as motivation if/when PHI plays meaningful games in April - the regular starting five (B. Simmons, J. Redick, R. Covington, D. Saric, & J. Embiid all shared the court, made contributions) got much-needed work closing out + the offense ft. a heavy, consistent dosage of J. Embiid
FALC
Front Court Overview: Robert Covington was back in action for the matchup with OKC, rounding out the usual frontcourt rotation with Saric and Embiid. (Unfortunately newly acquired Trevor Booker left the contest with left ankle sprain.)
@ MIN: Embiid, Homes, and Saric: 57 points, 31 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks
v. OKC: Embiid, Covington, and Saric: 61 points, 26 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 blocks)
Covington struggled pretty much the whole game although he still managed to post a +5 on the night. Saric had a decent outing in this monster of a matchup but clearly Embiid carried the load, posting more than half of the frontcourt points while logging less minutes than Saric.
His impact was tremendous on both sides of the floor, especially with his stellar blocks on Russell Westbrook attacking the lane while he was in full raging bull mode. Somehow Embiid was able to pull of a Lebron-esque chasedown block on westbrook twice, while fighting through ongoing back issues.
Tracking...Rebounds
Philly was outrebounded by OKC 60 to 50, and once again simply gave up too many offensive rebounds. The frontcourt was tasked with the ever-active Steven Adams this time around who had a team high 7 offensive rebounds, but they also allowed a pesky Westbrook to collect 5 of his own. Philly has got to do better as a team boxing out if they want to shut out second-chance opportunities.
Tracking...J. Embiid
With an semi-inflated statline due to three overtimes, Embiid posted 34, 8 and 6. His 7 turnovers were a huge detriment to the team as he struggled with the double and triple teams OKC were sending at him which is just a result of his dominating play as of late. It’s a bit odd he was unable to reach double-digit rebounds in this matchup considering the 49 minutes, but Adams did a good job on keeping him out the paint as much as possible (until he was fouled and waved off the court).
Tracking...Turnovers
As a team, Philly turned the ball over 21 times which OKC was able to convert in 15 points. This is another area the Sixers will need to improve on if they want to make the next leap as a legitimate playoff contender.
TRACKING... WRAP-UP
BARO
B. Simmons: 10+ dimes in both games -- Just missed: 8 @ MIN, 11 v. OKC
D. Saric: avg. 18+ ppg -- Avg. 15 ppg
10+ triples in both games -- Completed! - 11 @ MIN, 13 v. OKC
Projected Top DOG of the Week: Ben Simmons -- Nope, J. Embiid!: 31 ppg, 10 rpg, 7 apg
Projected Star UnderDOG of the Week: Dario Saric (yup! • avg. 15 ppg & 8 rpg)
FALC
Outrebound both opponents -- outrebounded v. OKC
Embiid: 12+ boards per game -- Just missed: avg. 10 rpg
Less turnovers in both games -- more turnovers in both games
48+ from the field in both games -- under 48% v. OKC
Higher bench scoring in both games -- bench outscored in both games
Completed: 2/10
QUICK TAKEAWAY
BARO
Philly has a ways to go but the production from the starters + the overall dominance of J. Embiid & B. Simmons is worth note.
In a fight for a playoff spot (currently 9th), however, taking care of the rock & receiving complementary support from the likes of Redick, Saric, Covington, J. Bayless & T. Booker is important.
Sixers (14-14)
FALC
Philly is on the right track but has a few issues to take care of, most notably late game execution & ball security.
Once the lineup is sorted out and Brett Brown's group returns to full health, look for the Sixers to make a run up the standings.
Tracking Complete.
(Baro, Falc.)