By: Kylan Watson
Coming off the All-Star break, the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Atlanta Hawks for the third time this season. Both teams battled in this game, but the Sixers could not overcome a fourth quarter scoring explosion from Atlanta to win this game 117-107, with the loss the Sixers losing streak extends to three games.
The Sixers did not have Joel Embiid available in this contest because of a sore shin that he suffered while rehabbing over the break. Philly missed his presence mightily tonight as they were outrebounded by the Hawks (50-46) and outscored in the paint and that cost Philly this game. Tyrese Maxey (28 points) and VJ Edgecombe (20 points) combined for 48 of the Sixers 107 points, but they could not string together enough buckets and consistent offensive rhythm against the lengthy Hawks defenders. Philly would overpass during an offensive possession and that led to a turnover and an easy bucket for the Hawks. They turned the ball over 15 times in this game and did not get enough from the other role players in a game they needed to have as the regular season comes to a close.
Credit to the Atlanta Hawks they were missing their newest player Jonathan Kuminga and still were able to look like the better team on the floor tonight. Jalen Johnson scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in this game he took advantage of Philly not having enough lengthy defenders to stop him in this contest.
Atlanta is developing into an extremely dangerous team that will be a problem for the opposing team on a nightly basis. In addition, they have been a big problem for the Sixers in three games this season with one game left to play between these teams. The Hawks took full advantage of their young legs and in the fourth quarter they ran Philly out of their gym. They were able to cut to the basket and create easy opportunities to score during that period. When the Sixers defense stopped Johnson, CJ McCollum would torch them with a three-point bucket or a lay-up. He scored 23 points for the Hawks off the bench and really was the difference maker in this game which turned into a rock fight.
Philly has a small margin for error in games where they do not have Embiid available and over the last three games, they have not been able to string together consistent offense. Maxey and Edgecombe broke out of their slumps, but the offense has looked sloppy which has led to turnovers and way too much iso ball which cost them late in this game. The Sixers get the best results on offense when they move the ball around and create high-percentage shooting opportunities for their teammates. They did not do enough of that tonight and it cost them another winnable game.
The Sixers have suffered way too many bad losses this season, and that will need to turn around if Philly wants to rocket up the standings in the Eastern Conference. They have 27 games left to round into form and be a problem in the playoffs.
Philly will now prepare for a three-game road trip that will start in New Orleans on Saturday night against the Pelicans. They will need to limit their turnovers, win the rebounding battle, or keep it competitive, stay connected to their defensive assignments, and continue to create high-percentage scoring opportunities with their ball movement on the offensive side. Implementing these things into their gameplan on Saturday night will give them a terrific opportunity to win their 31st game of the season and end their three-game losing streak.