By: Kylan Watson
After falling to the Toronto Raptors yesterday evening, the Philadelphia 76ers faced a Brooklyn Nets team that was desperate for a win. This game was an offensive struggle for both teams, but the Sixers just did not have enough weapons available to overcome Brooklyn’s three-point barrage. That was the biggest difference in this game as Philly fell to Brooklyn 100-96. Heading into the All-Star break the Sixers have now lost five straight games and need to make some adjustments and get healthy during the break.
The Sixers were shorthanded in tonight’s contest as Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey missed this game with knee injuries. As a result, much of the offensive load fell to Paul George, and he just could not handle it in this game. He only scored two points in tonight’s contest and only made 1/7 shots in the game. George must play more aggressively and cannot only score two points especially in games without Embiid and Maxey.
That is just unacceptable and some of the blame for George’s inefficient first half of the season needs to fall on Nick Nurse. He has not utilized George enough with off-ball screen actions and as a ball handler. The fact that most of the offense in tonight’s game ran through Quentin Grimes (30 points) and Jared Butler is an indictment of the game plan that the coaches created. George must be the focal point and similar to what happened with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Sixers should take this time to figure out what they do well on both sides of the ball and put more of that into the gameplan and talk to George and figure out ways to better utilize him. They cannot continue to just keep playing lackadaisically and expect these teams to just roll over for them.
Brooklyn took full advantage of the Sixers’ inability to score points in this contest. D’Angelo Russell scored 22 points in this contest and throughout the first quarter he could not miss and made his first five shot attempts. Philly just did not have enough lengthy defenders to slow him down in the first half. They finally were able to slow him down and then once again they lost the rebounding battle and then gave the Nets multiple opportunities to put points on the board which they did. The Sixers cannot continue to give up 20 plus offensive rebounds a night and expect to win games. That needs to be fixed during the break because they were thoroughly outhustled in this game, and that has been the case throughout most games this season.
Despite being outhustled by the Nets they still had a chance to win this game and just could not hit their shots late. Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. (30 points) combined for 60 of Philly’s 96 points. Their effort changed this contest for the Sixers, and it made this game very interesting late in the fourth quarter. They were able to cut Brooklyn’s lead to four points late in this game thanks to their defensive pressure. Grimes has been an immediate difference maker since being traded to Philly last week and he is making an argument to be inserted into the starting lineup. Oubre Jr. needs to continue to play as aggressively as possible and continue to grab rebounds. His ability to be a pest on both ends of the floor has served him well this season and if he can continue to score the ball consistently. He will continue to be a very productive player throughout the rest of the season.
Philly will now have a little over a week to get healthy and prepare to face the Boston Celtics next Thursday night. The Sixers will need to limit their turnovers, force the Celtics to take well contested shots and limit them to one possession, and cash in on the high percentage shooting opportunities created off their ball movement.
Implementing these things into their game plan next week in combination with whatever adjustments they make to their offensive and defensive schemes. Should put the Sixers in great position to win their 21st game of the season and gain some positive momentum heading into the second half of the season.