Silver Linings Playbook: 5 positive Philadelphia 76ers takeaways from Pacers game

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CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 06: Head coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on March 6, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

I. They never collapsed

The Philadelphia 76ers never held the lead since mid-way through the first quarter. But they continued to scrap, claw, and fight there way back into it. And no, I’m not arguing this as a “good loss”. But in terms of truly measuring the caliber of the team right now in terms of NBA playoff teams, they’re close.

Still as my father once used to say “close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades!”, it’s not a victory. But what was it? A fat lip before a huge boxing contest. A hot iron before working on a hot stove. It was a lesson, filled with tragedy and repercussions, before the real live playoff experiences. It was a test of their fortitude. And they passed with flying colors.

They proved they belong. And just like the Silver Linings Playbook, the team needs to do their research. (EDITORS NOTE – Beware harsh language in this video clip)

Passing is the bare minimum

They did not win at home. But they continued to battle despite shooting themselves in the foot. The team shot 46.7 percent from the floor. They held together at the foul line too, pushing nearly 82 percent of their free throws through the basket. And the Philadelphia 76ers starters outplayed the Pacers starting 5 by the score of 83-70. That’s pretty solid.

The Pacers came in with an 11 man rotation. In doing so, they got huge minutes out of point guard Darren Collison and shooting guard Lance Stephenson. The pair combined for 21 points alone, while the entire 76ers bench could only muster 15 points as a whole. The Sixers tried to address the bench late in the season. But the game proved the bench is not ready yet.