The Sixer Sense
Fansided

RECAP: Atlanta Hawks 109, Philadelphia 76ers 119

By Luke Swiatek

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 1: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in front of Dewayne Dedmon #14 of the Atlanta Hawks and referee Bill Kennedy #55 in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on November 1, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. The 76ers defeated the Hawks 119-109. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 1: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in front of Dewayne Dedmon #14 of the Atlanta Hawks and referee Bill Kennedy #55 in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on November 1, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. The 76ers defeated the Hawks 119-109. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Despite some feisty play by the tanking Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers still walked away with a fairly dominant victory.

The Philadelphia 76ers came roaring out of the gates to an 25-8 lead, but the Hawks battled back. Still, the Sixers ended up making six of their seven three-point attempts in the first quarter, maintaining a sizable 25-34 advantage.

The Hawks wouldn’t go down without a fight though, and the score was tied up after three quarters. However, the Sixers absolutely locked down in the final quarter, holding the Hawks to 16 points in the final period and winning by ten.

Also, I was sad that former Processor Ersan Ilyasova was injured and unable to play tonight, because I miss all his stretch four-ness and flopping for charges.

34 min | 19 pts | 13 reb | 9 ast | 2 stl | 0 blk | 4 TO | 8-16 FG | 0-1 3PT | 3-6 FT | 2 PF | +12 +/- | Summary: Simmons has only one career triple-double, but he flirts with one every game. Get a room already, you scoundrel.. PG. Philadelphia 76ers. BEN SIMMONS. A-

A-. 34 min | 22 pts | 3 reb | 3 ast | 2 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 7-15 FG | 6-11 3PT | 2-2 FT | 4 PF | +14 +/- | Summary: I didn’t feel like looking this up (and possibly disproving my theory) but I’m pretty sure Covington shoots better outside the arc than inside it. Also his ability to shoot from so deep behind the arc stretches defenses to their breaking point. He’s like <a rel=. SF. Philadelphia 76ers. ROBERT COVINGTON

A-. 30 min | 21 pts | 12 reb | 6 ast | 3 stl | 3 blk | 2 TO | 9-16 FG | 1-3 3PT | 2-5 FT | 4 PF | +2 +/- | Summary: There are those who think Embiid’s ridiculous per-36 defensive numbers are inflated because he plays with more intensity in fewer minutes. Feast your eyes on his three blocks and three steals in his first 30-minute game of his career.. C. Philadelphia 76ers. JOEL EMBIID

Philadelphia 76ers. J.J. REDICK. D+. 32 min | 8 pts | 1 reb | 3 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 1 TO | 3-11 FG | 1-6 3PT | 1-2 FT | 4 PF | +0 +/- | Summary: J.J. doesn’t play great defense and he doesn’t rebound or initiate the offense. J.J. shoots. When the shots aren’t falling though, that doesn’t reflect very well on him. Also, if he passes up a three to take a dribble and pull up for a 22-foot two-point shot one more time, I’m going to have an aneurysm.. SG

DARIO SARIC. D-. 20 min | 5 pts | 6 reb | 0 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 1-9 FG | 1-3 3PT | 2-2 FT | 0 PF | +1+/- | Summary: Saric made his second start in as many games, and he claims that he feels more comfortable as a starter. His performance against the Hawks indicates otherwise.. PF. Philadelphia 76ers

Tonight’s starting lineup was Ben Simmons, J.J. Redick, Robert Covington, Dario Saric, and Joel Embiid. What this means is that I now officially have to call Simmons a point guard. Sad!

However, my logic has always been that who you defend defines your position, and Simmons still defended Hawks power forward Mike Muscala, so I could continue to make that argument. Maybe I should just become a positional nihilist and say it doesn’t matter. Whatever.

No matter what position you say he is, there is one thing we can agree Simmons deserves to be called so far: Rookie of the Year. It feels like he influences our play style even more than Embiid does, and he’s surpassing my wildest expectations.

Also, he did this. And this:

The team as a whole was passing so much tonight (racking up 36 assists) that at times they actually overdid it and I thought to myself, “Just shoot already!” Good ball movement is contagious in the same way that bad ball movement can be, and it’s better to overpass than underpass.

Playing T.J. McConnell more certainly helps in that respect. His minutes have increased since Fultz’s injury, and he’s used them well; he put up a line of 12-6-7 in 26 minutes. To whoever brashly commented on one of my articles that McConnell won’t make the team next year, the joke’s on you, sir.

I think the Sixers should have built the Hawks a bit more handily, but a win is a win. Onto the next one!

Next: The 76ers are gelling

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