The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Fall to Pelicans 108-93

By Matt Delaney

Dec 8, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball over New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik (3) during the second quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball over New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik (3) during the second quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Final. 93. 93. 108. 69

Philadelphia 76ers Lose Sweep and Game To New Orleans

Once again, the Philadelphia 76ers matched up against the New Orleans Pelicans. These two teams last squared off on December 8th at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.  In a rare road victory, the 76ers won that night, beating the Pelicans 99-88. Current NBA scoring leader Anthony Davis, finished that night with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Sixers star rookie Joel Embiid produced 14 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 steals.

The Sixers, slowly trending in the right direction this season, wanted to build on that. Another win tonight would feel terrific for the team, and Sixers fans alike. It was a chance to complete the sweep of the Pelicans for the season.  On the night of December 20, 2016, the Sixers faced the Pelicans at home in the Wells Fargo Center.

To start the game, neither team shot particularly well from the field. By midway through the first quarter, both teams shot 30 percent on field goals, with the Sixers leading 10-7. By the end of the quarter, the Sixers defense began to lockdown the Pelicans and force a few turnovers. New Orleans star forward Anthony Davis, a non-factor at this point, finished the  first quarter shooting one of eight from the field. The Sixers led 23-15.

Second Quarter Meltdown

Early in the second quarter, Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Nik Stauskas received a charging foul on a breakaway to the rim. Stauskas made pretty hard contact with Tim Frazier, came up hobbling and would depart to the locker room to be checked out by medical personnel. He would later return in the game, midway through the third quarter.

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The Pelicans went on a run and evened the game 25-25 with eight minutes left in the second quarter. The rest of the first half was much of the same as the Pelicans continued to get easy looks at the baskets. Additionally, the Pelicans did a better job on the offensive boards, getting multiple second looks at the basket. The Sixers unable to stop the Pelicans offensive surge, allowed them to increased their lead to 57-44 by half time.

Technicality

A couple of minutes into the third quarter, the Pelicans received a technical foul when Alexis Ajinca elbowed Jahlil Okafor in the face following a blocked shot by Okafor. At 6:49 in the third quarter, the crowd roared to life as Nerlens Noel entered the game for the first time. Noel, the subject of recent controversy lately because of his comment due to lack of minutes, gave the crowd a nod and smile as he rotated in. Noel would only play a total of 7 minutes and record 4 points and 3 rebounds.

Late in the period, the Sixers perimeter defense became non-existent. They seemed to move in slow motion and miss multiple defensive rotations. The Pelicans continued to shoot well from the field and extended their lead by 15, finishing the quarter leading 84-69.

Fourth Quarter Finale

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Philadelphia 76ers were able to make multiple defensive stops and go on a slight offensive run reducing the Pelicans lead to 81-90. Continuing this momentum, the Sixers were able to move the ball well and get good open looks from the perimeter. With 4:13 left, the Sixers reduced the Pelicans lead to seven, the score 95-88.

At 2:35 left in the game Philly fans made an audible gasp as the whistle blew as Joel Embiid blocked an Anthony Davis shot. Moments later, there was a sigh of relief as fans realized that Embiid didn’t receive his sixth and final foul. The foul was instead called on Robert Covington.

In the final minutes of the game, the Pelicans extinguished any hopes of a Sixers rally as they extended their lead back up to 15. The Sixers defensive intensity through most of the game vanished.  Whether fatigue or disheartened, teammates stopped communicating on switches and late defensive rotations.  That afforded the all too willing Pelicans to sink too many open perimeter shots.

The Pelicans are 25th in the NBA in three-point shooting accuracy, shooting just over 33 percent.. Tonight, the Sixers allowed them to shoot over 58 percent. The Pelicans also created more second chance points with offensive rebounds earning  sixteen to the Sixers six.

Next: Allen Iverson honored by 76ers, speaks on resting players issue

The final score of the game was 108-93, with New Orleans victorious. Anthony Davis earned player of the game, finishing with 31 points, 16 rebounds and 2 blocks.