The Sixer Sense
Fansided

RECAP: Houston Rockets 105, Philadelphia 76ers 104

By Luke Swiatek

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 25: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets celebrates at the end of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rockets defeated the 76ers 105-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 25: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets celebrates at the end of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rockets defeated the 76ers 105-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers led the championship-contending Houston Rockets for most of the game, but lost a heart-breaker in the final seconds.

I’m not going to lie: this game hurt to watch. It really felt like the Philadelphia 76ers were in control for the whole game and that they were going to pull it out. Then they didn’t.

The previous losses against the Raptors and Celtics were sad to watch because of the immense amount of fouls called. This one was sad because of how close we were, and the fact that it got torn away from us at the last second.

Despite the loss, the Sixers actually played a really good game. James Harden was frustrated into eight turnovers, and the Rockets as a team only shot 30.8 percent from deep. On most nights that would’ve been enough to win, but a desperation three by Eric Gordon stole the game at the buzzer.

Philadelphia 76ers. T.J. MCCONNELL. A-. 28 min | 6 pts | 5 reb | 9 ast | 6 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 3-8 FG | 0-1 3PT | 0-0 FT | 2 PF | -6 +/- | Summary: Having as many steals as points is not something you see every day, but that’s <a rel=. PG

A-. 34 min | 22 pts | 5 reb | 4 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 9-16 FG | 3-8 3PT | 1-1 FT | 2 PF | +23 +/- | Summary: On the one hand, I watched the game and Redick didn’t play great defense and missed a couple open shots. On the other hand, somehow Redick lead the team in scoring and was a +23 in 34 minutes and the Sixers still lost? That’s a 2017-Westbrook-Thunder level dropoff there. I have no explanation for this phenomenon as of yet; chalk it up to chance until we establish a pattern.. SG. Philadelphia 76ers. J.J. REDICK

C+. 34 min | 14 pts | 7 reb | 9 ast | 3 stl | 1 blk | 4 TO | 7-17 FG | 0-1 3PT | 0-2 FT | 2 PF | -13 +/- | Summary: This was <a rel=. PF. Philadelphia 76ers. BEN SIMMONS

C-. 25 min | 21 pts | 6 reb | 3 ast | 1 stl | 2 blk | 3 TO | 8-13 FG | 1-2 3PT | 4-5 FT | 3 PF | -1 +/- | Summary: Embiid scored relatively effectively, but he also got only 6 rebounds compared to Capela’s 20 (including 6 offensive). He also forced up some bad shots and turnovers near the end. Embiid is very possibly our most skilled player, but decision-making and rebounding are still areas of relative weakness for him.. C. Philadelphia 76ers. JOEL EMBIID

Philadelphia 76ers. DARIO SARIC. F. 17 min | 0 pts | 2 reb | 1 ast | 1 stl | 0 blk | 0 TO | 0-1 FG | 0-1 3PT | 0-0 FT | 1 PF | -4 +/- | Summary: Uh… I kinda forgot that he played, but apparently he was on the floor for 17 minutes? No bueno.. PF

Houston’s pick-and-roll attack is one of the best in the league, and that was on full display tonight. Harden struggled early on with pressure caused by Covington and McConnell, but he picked it up later on.

Often, Clint Capela would set a solid screen and roll hard to the rim. Our point guards were often late fighting over the screens, leaving a big man on an island against Harden. In the first quarter, Embiid snuffed out a Harden layup, and Harden turned it over on multiple other occasions.

Later in the game, though, Harden seemed to have his timing down. When our big shut off his driving lane, he tossed a picture perfect alley-oop. When we hung too far back, he took it himself.

On offense we looked pretty good honestly. Our threes only fell at a 33 percent clip, which isn’t great but was still better than Houston. We got mostly good looks overall, it’s just that Houston’s offense is so hard to keep up with.

As mentioned in the grades, Simmons and Embiid can actually hurt the offense at times. Simmons holds the ball too much, and although he’s well-intentioned and just wants to make a play for his teammates, if he can’t shake free he should be passing it earlier in the shot clock so someone else can make a play.

Embiid has to realize that this isn’t the Process-era Sixers anymore. He’s playing alongside legitimate NBA players, not Jakarr Sampson or Hollis Thompson. He doesn’t have to shoot every time he gets it.

Still, a young team usually doesn’t pull out lots of close games, and sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way at the end. Here’s to hoping that the sour taste of this loss ends up making our first close win that much sweeter.

Next: Comparing Markelle Fultz to James Harden

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