Philadelphia 76ers are learning how to win close games

The Philadelphia 76ers continue to pull out close victories, which wasn’t always the case last season.

According to NBA.com, the Philadelphia 76ers lead the league in clutch wins following their victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. After dropping numerous close games last season, the Sixers’ growth and maturity is promising for such a young group.

The Sixers are 12-3 in clutch games this season, with Jimmy Butler‘s arrival causing only improvement. That’s remarkable proficiency in down-to-the-wire situations, especially when their net rating in those games is just +1.

For obvious reasons, Butler has given the Sixers a massive boost. His shot-making adds a dynamic the Sixers didn’t previously have, allowing Brett Brown to lean on the 29-year-old when the halfcourt offense stalls.

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In just nine games with the franchise, Butler has two game-winning threes under his belt. He’s the NBA’s leading fourth-quarter scorer and someone who, despite his passivity early on, continues to shine in important moments.

Butler isn’t the only reason for the Sixers’ late-game success, though. That 12-3 record extends well beyond Butler’s brief tenure, meaning the Sixers have made sweeping improvements all around. It starts with Joel Embiid.

Last season, Embiid became turnover-prone when the offense bogged down. He would get tunnel vision, often forcing his way into double teams and refusing to pass. While there’s still some remnants of those tendencies now, he’s a much improved player.

Embiid plays with more control, whether it be reading double teams or making stronger moves to the rim. He takes better shots, gets to the free throw line at will, and has shown a willingness to let Butler and Simmons take turns down the stretch.

Simmons has also shown growth, namely as a scorer. When he’s looking for his own shot and embracing contact at the rim, the former No. 1 pick becomes adds significant dynamism to his game. Even with poor free throw shooting, the willingness to get inside and look for buckets is a plus.

With a reliable three-level scorer who can generate buckets in isolation, the Sixers now have the complete package late in games. A deadeye shooter (J.J. Redick), three bona fide stars, and a coach who continues to draw up excellent sets in the right moments.

Brown has received criticism for his late-game management in the past, but he’s riding his core trio to success in recent weeks. The Sixers use Redick’s gravity to open up space, while the stars continue to strike a relatively fair balance (with Butler increasing his workload down the stretch).

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The Sixers’ net rating has steadily increased ever since the Butler trade. If they keep winning close games, expect their record to flourish as a result. At 17-8, the Sixers are currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference