GRADES: Philadelphia 76ers 127, Charlotte Hornets 112
By Matt Plesco
In the first of a two-game home series against the Charlotte Hornets, the Philadelphia 76ers won 127-112.
This was not a typical Philadelphia 76ers game. They scored a lot of points but also gave up a lot of points. An incredible shooting performance from the entire team was led by Seth Curry, Danny Green, and Tobias Harris. While not the stout defensive performance we have become accustomed to and certainly not something we would like to see continue, it is reassuring to see the Sixers can win a shootout while sharing the ball well. The biggest area for improvement is clearly the turnover department which largely kept Charlotte in the game.
Terry Rozier went off for 35 points but he could not keep up with the Sixers shooting.
The Philadelphia 76ers came out hot to start the game, scoring 39 points in the first quarter to open up a 15-point lead against the Charlotte Hornets. Despite his lackluster start to the season making a measly four threes in the first five games, Danny Green overcame my brother’s scrutiny and made three 3s en route to an 11-point first quarter. Highlighted by Tobias Harris beating the Hornets off the dribble and putting Bismack Biyombo on a poster, the Sixers started strong.
While not the same three-point barrage the 76ers fired at the Hornets in the first quarter, the Sixers were able to maintain their 15-point lead with a series of, as Marc Zumoff said, “free-flowing” basketball.
Shooting over 50 percent from deep as a team in the first half certainly helped the 76ers in putting up a staggering 73 points in the first half.
After staving off an early surge by the Hornets in the third quarter the Sixers, led by their superstars held onto their double-digit advantage. Another third-quarter burst by Charlotte was halted by the Sixers who ended the quarter up 14 and they eclipsed the 100-point mark before the period ended. However, with double-digit turnovers in the quarter, Philadelphia kept Charlotte in the game.
Tobias Harris filled the hole left by Mike Scott’s absence and kept the double-digit lead intact while the rest of the starters got a much-needed break. After returning to the court the 76ers starters hunkered down defensively and a Seth Curry to Ben Simmons alley-oop on the fast break emphasized the Sixers’ ability to defend well when they need to and just about put the nail in the coffin. A defensive stand and a few big plays from Joel Embiid thrusted the Sixers to victory.
Philadelphia was able to hold off Charlotte pushes all game long and did not let their lead dip below double digits after the middle of the first quarter. It was not the defensive performance we expected out of the 76ers but it was a convincing win against a team they should beat convincingly. The defense needs work but after just six games, the offense looks fantastic and the Philadelphia 76ers are rolling.
B+. <strong>26 mins | 13 pts | 2 reb | 4 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 1 TO | 4-7 FG | 3-6 3PT | 2-3 FT | 3 PF | +6 |</strong><p>In his best game as a Sixer by far, Danny Green found his shooting form in the first quarter. However, after scoring 11 points in the first, he did not score again until making 2 of 3 foul shots in the fourth quarter. Green is improving, but still not quite the offensive player we expected.</p>. SG. Philadelphia 76ers. DANNY GREEN
A-. <strong>35 mins | 19 pts | 14 reb | 4 ast | 1 stl | 1 blk | 5 TO | 7-11 FG | 1-2 3PT | 4-6 FT | 2 PF | +19 | </strong><br />Embiid was a step slow tonight aside from a few minutes early in the third quarter. Whether it be hesitating a bit on swinging the ball or rotating on defense, Embiid was good, just not the superstar we know him to be.. C. Philadelphia 76ers. JOEL EMBIID
TOBIAS HARRIS. A+. <strong>37 mins | 24 pts | 9 reb | 6 ast | 4 stl | 3 blk | 5 TO | 9-14 FG | 4-7 3PT | 2-2 FT | 2 PF | +20 | </strong><br />Harris was a perfect 3 for 3 from deep in the first half and scored 15 points, missing just one shot. For a period in the third and fourth quarter, Harris shined as the lone starter and helped the Sixers contain a push by the Hornets. Tobias has found his game.. SF. Philadelphia 76ers
SG. Philadelphia 76ers. SETH CURRY. A+. <strong>34 mins | 21 pts | 0 reb | 6 ast | 1 stl | 1 blk | 2 TO | 8-11 FG | 3-6 3PT | 2-2 FT | 0 PF | +21 | </strong><br />How great is it to have a lights out three point shooter? Seth continues to boost his scoring average and every time he shoots it seems to go in. 6 assists is also a great number for Seth. Curry is doing exactly what he needs to for the Sixers to continue their winning ways.
Philadelphia 76ers. BEN SIMMONS. A. <strong>37 mins | 15 pts | 12 reb | 11 ast | 1 stl | 1 blk | 4 TO | 6-9 FG | 0-0 3PT | 3-5 FT | 4 PF | +11 | </strong><br />While not the loudest performance from Simmons (albeit except for that emphatic oop from Curry), he was a solid all-around, particularly defensively. Not to mention he had 9 assists before the second quarter was over and ended the game with a triple-double. Another All-NBA performance from Simmons.. PG
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Philadelphia will look to extend its greater than a year-long home win streak on Monday night again against the Charlotte Hornets. For now, the Sixers have the best record in the East and are tied with Phoenix for the best record in the NBA.