L,L,L,L,L,L: It was “Stars and Stripes” night in Philly as the 76ers (0-6) featured only nine healthy players. Nerlens Noel was out. His instructions from Brett Brown were to study the play of Joakim Noah of the Bulls (5-1). Brown sees Noel developing his game in similar fashion. Joel Embid also returned home after the passing of his brother. It was good to see him back in Philadelphia.
Jimmy Butler scored the first 7-of-10 points for Chicago. The Bulls lost Carlos Boozer this summer who left for Los Angeles under the NBA Amnesty Provision. The Bulls have reloaded however with the likes of Paul Gasol and rookie Doug McDermott. McDermott is one of three collegiate players to ever record 3,000 points.
Malik Rose commented on what the Bulls did well and the Sixers did not: “Baseline-drive, baseline-drift.” Jimmy Butler had a nice first quarter especially, finishing with 13 points. It was 33-28 at the end of the first.
The Sixers went on a 10-2 run and were able to tie Chicago 57-57 at the half. The Sixers also led with a 14-2 points in the paint advantage in the first half. This was the second straight game for the Sixers that found them tied at the half.
Tony Wroten only had two turnovers and he finished with 31 points before fouling out. This was a tremendous effort.
The third quarter was a runaway quarter for the Bulls. They ended with a 11-3 push. The Bulls came bursting out of the locker room to start the second half with a 14-5 run. They stretched their lead by as much as 14. The third quarter final count was 35-19 Bulls. The score entering the fourth was 92-76.
Coach Tom Thibodeau ran very difficult sets for the Sixers to stop. They entailed Mike Dunleavy, Jr. setting cross-screens under the rim for a big and then coming off of a down screen to explode into a catch and shoot. He had 5 threes in the game by the middle of the third quarter.
The Bulls (5-1) remain unbeaten on the road. Chicago clearly know how to win, even without Derrick Rose. Mike Dunleavy finished with 27 points. Jimmy Butler added 23 points. Pau Gasol dropped 17 points and had 12 rebounds.
Thursday was Michael Carter William’s first full practice. Coach Brett Brown remarked that his intellect and poise will help the team upon his return.
Malik Rose thought the guard play on both sides was aggressive but not indicative of the foul calling count. He was referring to Tony “Offensive Foul” Brown, who was in full effect.
The game did not end without getting interesting. The score was 109-100 under five seconds to play.
Hollis Thompson missed both free throws and had a chance to make it a seven point game.
When Gasol hit two of his 17 with 3:30 left to go to go up 111-100, it looked out of reach. Gasol, still very much effective, averaged 18 points last year and blocked nearly two shots per game. The Sixers however, kept fighting tooth and nail to the end.
It was 116-115 with 4 seconds remaining. After free throws from Kirk Hinrich, Chicago pulled it out 118-115.
Overall, this was a great effort but look for the 1972-1973 Sixers to be relevant in upcoming editions of the Daily News and Inquirer.
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The other night, Pardon the Interruption, was discussing the potential of an 0-82 season. This sound absurd. Upon further reflection, and without knowing what the odds are mathematically, I invite you to watch a game buzzer to buzzer to ponder the prospect.
Perhaps Project Hinkie is a tanking myth, for the Sixers are in a state of pre-tanking. The plan is still generating controversy.
On a positive note, guard Tony Wroten continued to get to the rim and played very hard as did K.J. McDaniels. The Sixers look to be shooting the basketball with more and more comfort. Former Episcopal Academy star Gene Buroughs is the newly hired Sixers Shooting Coach. Furthermore, Henry Sims knocked down his first career three and K.J. McDaniels played outstanding help defense in particular. Tony Wroten only had two turnovers and he finished with 31 points before fouling out. This was a tremendous effort.
This game was the last of a four game home stand for the Sixers. They will start a four game road stand starting with Toronto Sunday night.