PLAYER GRADES: Los Angeles Lakers 120, Philadelphia 76ers 143
The potential of the Philadelphia 76ers new core was on full display in the blowout victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Philadelphia 76ers are now 2-0 with its new core of Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler and J.J. Redick. The Sixers were completely dominant against the Los Angeles Lakers and won the game 143-120.
The Sixers won this game due to their efficiency and their ability to limit turnovers. They shot 57.7 percent from the floor and 50.0 percent from behind the 3-point line. They only had seven turnovers and had 10 steals. On the flip side, the Lakers had 16 turnovers and three steals.
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The Sixers starters had their way with the Lakers and had 103 points in the outing. Philly scored at least 33 points per quarter and outside of the first quarter, the Sixers outscored the Lakers each quarter of the game. Almost every gear was clicking for the Sixers in this win.
Defensively, the team held LeBron James under 20 points. Outside of Kyle Kuzma, who had 39 points, and JaVale McGee, who had 21 points, no other Lakers scored 20 points or more. Outside of a 40 points explosion, led by Kuzma, the Lakers scored no more than 27 points in each quarter following.
C. <strong>29 MINS | 8 PTS | 3 REB | 7 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 2 TO | 3-13 FG | 0-1 3PT| 2-2 FT | 2 PF | +6| </strong><p>One look at the box score and it’s plain to see that Simmons struggled to hit his shots. However, he was still active on defense, passed the ball well and limited his turnovers. He may have shot poorly, but he attempted a lot of jump shots, including pulling up for a 3-pointer. This new found aggression with his jump shot is a real positive, although it would be nice if he hit more than just one.</p>. PG. Philadelphia 76ers. BEN SIMMONS
SG. Philadelphia 76ers. J.J. REDICK. A-. <strong>28 MINS | 21 PTS | 2 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 8-13 FG | 3-6 3PT| 2-2 FT | 2 PF | +16|</strong><p>Redick had his way offensively. His shooting was on point and the fact that he was active defensively with two steals is a bonus. The addition in another 3-point shooter in Harris seems to have opened up things on offense for Redick and he should continue to benefit from the power forward’s presence.</p>
Philadelphia 76ers. JIMMY BUTLER. B+. <strong>31 MINS | 15 PTS | 4 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 6-10 FG | 1-2 3PT| 2-2 FT | 0 PF | +19| </strong><p>Butler performed his role perfectly on offense and he defended James very well too. While he didn’t record a block or steal, he was still a positive defensive presence. He didn’t really force it too much on offense. He had the least amount of shot attempts out of the starting five. Occasionally this will happen and he took it in stride tonight. If he can be okay with being fifth in shot attempts some nights, this young core will operate just fine.</p>. SF
A. <strong>29 MINS | 22 PTS | 6 REB | 6 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 9-14 FG | 3-5 3PT| 1-2 FT | 3 PF | +5| </strong><p>Harris impressed in his second game as a part of the Sixers. He started the game hot with 14 points in the first quarter. His fit within head coach Brett Brown’s system seems almost seamless. Besides foul trouble in the first half, there’s nothing more that the Sixers could have asked of Harris in this game.</p>. PF. Philadelphia 76ers. TOBIAS HARRIS
A+. 32 MINS | 37 PTS | 14 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 12-16 FG | 2-3 3PT| 11-12 FT | 3 PF | +23|<p>The Lakers big men had no answers for Embiid in the paint. This type of performance is almost becoming typical of the big man who has been playing at an MVP level this season. This type of performance is surprising considering he was <a href=. C. Philadelphia 76ers. JOEL EMBIID
Outside of the starting five, the Sixers got a nice boost from the bench. T.J. McConnell scored 13 points and had three steals. Boban Marjanovic also had 10 points and a block. Both Mike Scott and Furkan Korkmaz made nice hustle plays as well. James Ennis was the only bench player to really struggle in the outing. Jonathon Simmons also made his Sixers debut with an And-1 play before the end of the game.
Next. Player of the Week: Butler’s consistency. dark
This game showed the true potential of this new core that the Philadelphia 76ers built at the NBA trade deadline. This is only their second game together and once they build more chemistry, this group has a real chance to make the NBA finals.