The Philadelphia 76ers have been looking to improve on the road after struggling mightily in the 2019-20 season. That was always something that was on the mind of coach Doc Rivers coming into the season and this latest road trip was perfect for them.
After a win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night, the Sixers went 3-0 on the trip following wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Indiana Pacers to begin the trip. The team played well and they were able to take their success at home on the road with them.
The 2019-20 version of the Sixers went 10-24 on the road before the league finished the season in the bubble so being able to 3-0 on this trip was important for them.
“Right now, I’m feeling good about that,” said Tobias Harris who had 26 points in the win. “I think that we know, as a group last year, how underachieving we were on the road and just a lack of obviously focus and effort when we did play on the road, that was evident.”
Harris was around during the 2019-20 season so he truly understands how the team struggled on the road throughout the season. This is a road trip that they needed to really get on track away from home and that is what they were able to achieve.
“We had a tough one in Indiana where we were down and we showed a lot of resilience to get back into and win that game,” he said. “Then today, to come out in the beginning of the game and really put our stamp on the game and how dominant we can be as a team was big. We just got to keep it going. We have to stay focused, but at the same time we also have to want more from what we’re showing and want more from each other on the floor to be that great team, and get to that level we want to get to.”
Shake Milton is another guy who was around for the road struggles in the 2019-20 season.
“It feels good,” he said. “I feel like guys were all locked in. Heading on the road, we knew what we had to do, and I feel like we stuck together these last three games and were able to put out W’s in each one, so it was good.”
The second half on Wednesday wasn’t exactly great, but the point is, the Sixers got the win and that is all that matters. They are now 6-5 away from home with the win and they are now 16-6 to stay on top of the Eastern Conference.
“We did enough to win on the road. I’ll take that,” said Rivers. “A lot of teaching moments for us and that’s the way I took them after the game that we’re better than we played in the second half, but we couldn’t play much better in the first half. I try to look at it the whole way, but going on the trip 3-0, that was our goal coming out, and that’s what we did.”
The Sixers will now board the plane and return home to host the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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