By: Kylan Watson
After losing to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday Night, the Philadelphia 76ers returned to South Philly to faceoff with the Charlotte Hornets tonight. Both teams were equally banged up, but despite that they traded blows throughout the contest. Philly used a third quarter explosion to beat Charlotte 121-114.
For the second straight game the Sixers started the game off hot, finally cashing in on high percentage shot opportunities and Tobias Harris was a big beneficiary of the ball movement. He finally got his shots find the bottom of the net and broke out of his slump. Harris scored 13 of his 31 points by half time and the Sixers needed his point total as the Hornets gave them all they could handle. Harris’ shot making was a big development for the Sixers tonight as it made the Hornets focus on him instead of Tyrese Maxey (33 points, made five/10 three-pointers, and had seven assists). That gave him enough room to operate and continue his 30 point plus scoring streak alive as well. If Harris can get it going again and at least score 20 plus points a night then Philly can stay alive in the loaded Eastern Conference until Joel Embiid returns later in the month.
Despite the Maxey and Harris scoring explosion the Hornets still had this game within their reach. They were able to score 36 points in the second quarter and put the Sixers on their heels. Miles Bridges scored 27 points and gave the Sixers all they can handle throughout this game. He took full advantage of the paint being open without Joel Embiid in the game. His shot making kept the Hornets in the game throughout the contest, and if it was not for a Tyrese Maxey chase down block the Hornets may have won this game. However, Philly was able to turn the defensive pressure up when they needed it the most and used it to get a win in this contest.
The Sixers will faceoff with the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday Afternoon. They will need to stay attached to their man if they want to slowdown the Dallas’ explosive offense. Additionally, they will need to cash in on the high percentage shot opportunities created off their ball movement like they did tonight. If they want to win their 35th game of the season and continue to rocket up the standings in the loaded Eastern Conference.