GRADES: Philadelphia 76ers 113, Indiana Pacers 107
By Adam Gilbert
Ladies and gentlemen, the Philadelphia 76ers are back!
The Philadelphia 76ers concluded their 2020-21 preseason on the road in a physical battle with the Indiana Pacers. Joel Embiid was out tonight with a non-COVID related illness, allowing Dwight Howard to step in as the starting center. The rest of the starters were the same as the first preseason game with Ben Simmons at the point, Seth Curry at the two, Danny Green at the three, and Tobias Harris at the four.
The Pacers were without Myles Turner and T.J. Warren, but that didn’t stop them from giving the Sixers everything they could handle and more.
Ben Simmons and Dwight Howard stood out early. Ben continues to play down hill and seems to be thriving in the new pick-and-roll offense. He found Dwight Howard rolling to the rim with a lob early in the first quarter. If Dwight continues play at this level, Sixers fans are going to love what he brings off the bench when Embiid needs a breather. He can hold down the fort as a defense anchor and has seemed to really buy into his role crashing the glass, setting screens and rolling to the rim.
Danny Green had some good moments defensively closing out on and blocking an Oladipo 3-point attempt and getting a steal that led to a fast break layup on the other end.
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Unfortunately, Tobias Harris continues to struggle. He appears to be playing a step slow hesitating and them attempting to make the right play too late. He also missed a wide open 3 short which is not a welcome sight from a guy that needs to step up and be a viable threat from deep.
Tyrese Maxey, Furkan Korkmaz, and Mike Scott looked great off the bench. Maxey is insanely crafty in how he gets to the rim and finishes in traffic. He is going to get playing time off the bench in the regular season. Korkmaz and Mike Scott knocked down some 3s. It feels like this could be a comeback year for Scott who struggled shooting the ball for most of last season, eventually losing his spot in the rotation.
The action got strangely scrappy for a preseason game near the end of the second quarter. Dwight and Sabonis exchanged silly fouls that eventually resulted in Dwight being banished to the bench. Pacers led the Sixers 59-51 at halftime.
Doc Rivers must have said something to the squad in the locker room because they came out firing in the second half and fought back into the game.
Ben Simmons and Shake Milton were the stories of the third quarter. Ben’s vision and passing ability were on full display with a dime to Tony Bradley under the rim for an easy layup and a driving kick to Shake Milton cross-court for the 3 ball.
That 3 from Ben was the start of another strong offensive stretch from Shake. He drove to the cup from the baseline and got the hoop plus the harm, had a nice left handed finger roll while holding the defender on his hip, and hit a clean baseline fadeaway. He is undoubtable going to be a massive piece for the Sixers this season.
Doc Rivers got the bench in at the start of the fourth quarter and they were able to hold the lead. Korkmaz looked great shooting the ball all night hitting two big 3s early in the quarter. Maxey handled the ball well getting to the rim a few more times. Vincent Poirier had a massive slam on an inbounds pass from Matisse Thybulle. And Isaiah Joe and Paul Reed got their first NBA points.
The Sixers won 113-107.
<strong>26 mins | 9 pts | 5 reb | 8 ast | 0 stl | 2 blk | 2 TO | 4-6 FG | 0-1 3PT| 1-2 FT | 2 PF | -5 |</strong><p>Simmons looked like himself out there tonight. He stuffed the stat sheet with a healthy dose of points, assists, and boards in limited minutes. And he shot a 3-pointer! Confidently! From a bit beyond the line! Sure he missed it short, but it’s always encouraging when he is willing to take those shots. If that keeps up it will do wonders for the offense.</p>. PG. Philadelphia 76ers. BEN SIMMONS. A
C. Philadelphia 76ers. DWIGHT HOWARD. B+. <strong>16 mins | 14 pts | 4 reb | 0 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 5 TO | 7-7 FG | 0-0 3PT | 0-2 FT | 4 PF | -13 |</strong><p>A serviceable back-up center. We have longed for one for years Sixers fans. I believe we have found a pretty good one in Dwight Howard. Dwight proved his value for the second time this preseason as the reserve for Joel Embiid and starting center when Embiid inevitably rests. He understands his role. Rebound the basketball, set good screens, and roll to the rim hard. Seems like it is going to be a steal at the minimum.</p>
<strong>21 mins | 15 pts | 3 reb | 5 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 3 TO | 4-8 FG | 2-5 3PT | 5-7 FT | 5 PF | +24 |</strong><p>Shake Milton continues to impress. He lead the team in scoring tonight with 15 points and really put the ball in the basket in a wide variety of ways. Shot it well from 3, got to the rim, and even created his own shot off the drive. I like his role as the 6th man and believe he could be one of the best in the league. He was a +24 tonight too which is just awesome.</p>. PG. Philadelphia 76ers. SHAKE MILTON. A
SG. Philadelphia 76ers. FURKAN KORKMAZ. B. <strong>19 mins | 14 pts | 4 reb | 2 ast | 1 stl | 0 blk | 3 TO | 4-7 FG | 4-6 3PT | 2-2 FT | 1 PF | +21 |</strong><p>I think the Sixers grew a bomber. I’ll be the first to admit I have always been skeptical of Furkan Korkmaz. I worry about his defense and get nervous every time he puts the ball on the floor. Yet he continues to prove me wrong. I mean the Sixers need shooting right? That’s what Furkan Korkmaz appears ready to give you. Congrats Sixers Nation, we grew a bomber.</p>
<strong>17 mins | 11 pts | 5 reb | 1 ast | 0 stl | 1 blk | 2 TO | 4-7 FG | 0-1 3PT | 3-5 FT | 2 PF | -4 |</strong><p>I’d like to take a moment to thank <a rel=. SG. Philadelphia 76ers. TYRESE MAXEY. A
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The Sixers open the 2020-21 regular season on Wednesday, Dec. 23 at home against Russell Westbrook and the Washington Wizards.