By: Kylan Watson

After falling to the Miami Heat and a team meeting afterwards the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Memphis Grizzlies. This was a very physical contest as it often is when these two teams get together. However, the Grizzlies hit 19 three-pointers in this game to beat Philly 117-111.

The Sixers once again started this game off hot and were able to get out to an early lead in this game. Joel Embiid looked like his old self throughout this contest, he imposed his will on this game and the Grizzlies had no answers for him. Embiid scored 35 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in this contest. This was his best performance of the season so far and if he can use this game to get himself back into form the Sixers should be able to start putting wins together very soon.

Combine that with Jared McCain being one of the best rookies so far this season and the Sixers have an explosive backcourt when Tyrese Maxey gets back into game shape. McCain scored 20 plus points for sixth straight game in the row and he continues to flash as a playmaker. That will keep him at the front of the rotation and Guerschon Yabusele was a revelation tonight as he was the best three-point shooter on the floor for the Sixers tonight. He scored 17 points and hit 5/6 three-pointers and if he can continue to be a threat from the three-point line he can be Philly’s power forward and even play instead of Andre Drummond.

Despite the offensive explosion of Philly’s trio (Embiid, McCain, Yabusele) the Grizzlies made it rain from the three-point line hitting a season high 19/43 three-pointers and that was the difference in this game. Memphis hit eight more threes than the Sixers did and they had no answers for it.  Desmond Bane scored 21 points and made 5/11 three-pointers. He would blow up the Sixers defensive scheme, there were multiple times during this game where Philly had Memphis taking an ill-advised shot and Bane saved the possession for them by hitting a rainbow three-pointer. Especially, in the second quarter where the Grizzlies were able to do enough to have a 10 point lead by half-time.

The Sixers mounted a furious comeback in the fourth quarter but an ill-advised pass by Embiid went out of bounds because of a Kelly Oubre Jr. cut to the paint that led right into a defender. That ended any chance the Sixers have of taking this game from the Grizzlies. The Sixers have to find someone who can cash in on the high-percentage shooting opportunities created off their ball movement. This has been a consistent problem throughout this season. Someone has to hit shots and until that player(s) emerge, Philly will continue to struggle on the offensive end even when Embiid, McCain, and Yabusele are having career nights.

The Sixers will now prepare to face the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night, another team that is at a talent disadvantage against the Sixers. However, they can and will cash in on opportunities if Philly gives it to them. The Sixers have to play a complete game of basketball very soon if they want to get back in the win column.

That needs to start on Friday night, role players play better at home.  So, the Sixers need to hope that a couple of other players find their offensive rhythm. Philly also needs to use their length advantage, to force turnovers and get easy opportunities on the fast break. Implementing these things into their gameplan for Friday night, should put them in great shape to get their third win of the season against the Nets.