3 Takeaways from 76ers Loss 115-102
Philadelphia hit the road for a quick three game road trip in four days. The first stop, Indiana. The 76ers were facing a red-hot Pacers team that have won eight of their last ten games, and have the fifth best record in the Eastern Conference. In the first quarter, the Pacers led 28-23 thanks to Aaron Nesmith scoring 9 points, and the Pacers, who going into the game, had a decisive rebounding edge over Philadelphia, out-rebounded them, 14-6.
In the second quarter, the Pacers extended their lead thanks to a 13-5 run midway through the quarter. However, Philadelphia fought back to cut the deficit to 61-59 at halftime, thanks to an 11-2 burst to end the half. The 76ers started to get more engaged, when it came to rebounding, as they outscored Indiana in the paint, 38-32. Although in the first half, Philadelphia did not get back on defense, as the Pacers on the fast break had a 17-7 advantage. Tyrese Maxey led all 76ers players with 15.
In the third quarter, Indiana had a 89-80 lead after three quarters. The Pacers key was a 20-8 run early in the quarter. Indiana was still shooting over 50 percent for the game, and Myles Turner had a double-double already (16 points-10 rebounds).
Indiana in the final period, closed out the game with runs of 8-0 and 9-1 to win by 13. They shot 53% from the field, 32% from 3-point range and outrebounded the 76ers, 50-32. There were 3 other takeaways from tonight’s game:
1. Shorthanded….again
The 76ers were in trouble going into the game tonight, and you did not even need the line, which jumped two points today, to give you a heads up. Besides, Embiid, yes it is a broken record, being out for this entire road trip due to his lingering knee issue, but Paul George (groin), Kyle Lowry (hip), Caleb Martin (groin), Guerschon Yabusele (knee) and perhaps another player or two were all ruled out. The only thing, I am curious about, who dresses in Milwaukee on Sunday? Its laughable anymore.Basically, they will need Tyrese Maxey, who scored 28 on Saturday, to score 40-50 points a game.
2. Philadelphia bench players get quality time
The only advantage with all of the veterans out, the backups will get quality minutes, and can show the coaching staff, that they can step up when their number is called. One player, forward Adem Bona, had near career highs in the first half, as he scored 11 points while pulling down 6 rebounds. On Tuesday, it was Justin Edwards stepping up against the league best, Oklahoma City Thunder, as he scored 25 points in 35 minutes. It seems that the 76ers will have to rely on these types of players to produce, so the team has a chance to win any games for the remainder of the season.
3. No night off
The good news it is a short plane ride, but the bad news is
Philadelphia will be facing a Milwaukee Bucks team, who have won three in a row, and six of their last seven games. Not to mention, a refreshed Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and others. Good luck with that!!!!
-David Weightman/ OCSN