Game Recap – Philadelphia 76ers @ Denver Nuggets

Nugget rookie Emmanuel Mudiay’s desperation shot led to another Philadelphia 76ers last second loss

It was a game of highs and lows for the Philadelphia 76ers. But for all the highs throughout the game, nothing could truly outweigh the low of the watching their tenth win slipping away when a buzzer-beating heave from half-court by Denver Nugget rookie point guard Emmanuel Mudiay sailed between defenders Nik Stauskas and Isaiah Canaan.

The team seemed to be a certainty in the win column for the Philadelphia 76ers, whose nine win season is definitely at risk of tying the worst record in franchise history from the 1972-1973 season. It was that reason that landed the team’s first pick int he draft, where they selected Doug Collins.  While the season was difficult, the team eventually ended up in a good place.

Tonight’s loss?  Not so much.  You can catch the highlights, and lowlights, in the video.

The play began after Robert Covington’s missing his first free throw, but connecting on the second as the final point of the 16 he would score for the night.  While he placed the Philadelphia 76ers up by two points with just 3.1 seconds remaining, that missed free throw would come back to haunt the team.  (I knew it would when he missed it).  Nuggets power forward, Darrell Arthur, passed a line drive to mid court and into the hands of Mudiay.   As the Nugget point guard turned to advance the basketball upcourt, he was shadowed by Nik Stauskas and facing the outstretched upright arms of Hollis Thompson.   He cut to center court for breathing room, turning right into an arms down and ducking Isaiah Canaan.  As he lept past Canaan, he heaved the ball in the direction of the basketball hoop.   Miraculously, it went in, denying the Sixers their tenth win.

No road game is an easy win, but this game had the feel of winnable the entire evening.  Until that last buzzer.  The Philadelphia 76ers, already weary of losing, must somehow find it in themselves to regroup once more as a team and find a way to come out competitively once more to search for the ever elusive tenth win of the season.  As it now appears on the remaining schedule, that tenth win may never come this year.

The exciting ending overshadowed the heroics of the depleted Sixers roster, who were without the services of their own rookie sensation Jahlil Okafor, who had just had successful knee surgery.  The team also learned at game-time that they would be without their other big man, Nerlens Noel, due to a knee contusion.

But the team did suit up and play to the buzzer with eleven healthy players.  Let by undrafted rookie point guard T.J. McConnell’s 17 points, the Sixers also found double digit scoring from Robert Covington  and Carl Landry (16 pts. respectively), Hollis Thompson (14 pts.) and Isaiah Canaan (11 pts.)   It was the third time McConnell had reached the 17 point mark this season, with tonight’s effort being the most efficient of the bunch with 1-1 from three points, 7-10 from the floor, and 2-2 from the free throw line.

While the team made a gallant effort at better ball control (only 9 tunovers) and cetainly had range from the perimeter (shooting 40.5% from the perimeter), the absence of both Okafor and Noel let the Sixers be beaten at the post in both rebounding and blocks.

Next: If the Philadelphia 76ers dand the first and fourth picks, what is the cost of moving up to two?

Player of the Game

Despite tonight’s disappointing loss,  I would have to give it to T.J. McConnell, who showed once more that he should be given the reins of the team for the remainder of the season to see how he performs.. His 17 points tied his season and career best, while his five assets continue to add to his rookie season numbers.  He also pulled in three rebounds and generated two steals in the game.

The absence of big men has forced the team to counter with a smaller ball line-up, and McConnell has been there to answer the call.

Looking Ahead

The team continues its last west coast trip by facing off against the Portland Trailblazers on Saturday night at 8 PM, followed by a trip to visit the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night.  The Sixers return home to face the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday, March 29,