The Philadelphia 76ers paid a visit to the Spectrum Center on Wednesday on the second night of a back-to-back following an emotional win at home on Tuesday. The Charlotte Hornets had other plans. They handed the Sixers a 107-101 loss to send them back to .500 (9-9).
Philadelphia jumped to a 33-21 lead after the first quarter, getting a big lift out of De’Anthony Melton and Tobias Harris. The Hornets responded with a big second quarter, and they outscored the Sixers in each of the final three quarters. It was clear the Sixers ran out of gas.
“I didn’t see a negative thing in this game that we can say,” coach Doc Rivers told reporters. “Honest to God, I thought we played hard. I mean the first quarter, we had 33 points, and then honestly from that point on, we missed a lot of makable shots, which you will live with. I thought our energy was fantastic.”
It doesn’t help that Philadelphia was on a back to back, and the Hornets hadn’t played since Sunday. Philadelphia is also playing without Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle.
“We played a team that’s been off for three days and I thought that was more than anything,” Rivers continued. “Georges (Niang) couldn’t make shots, front of the rim. Tobias (Harris) started out great, couldn’t make any shots. I thought De’Anthony Melton was literally on fumes.”
Montrezl Harrell and Paul Reed also had to battle down low all night long after having to give it their all on Tuesday. This was a loss it seemed like the Sixers just couldn’t avoid,
“Trez and Paul Reed, I thought played overall well, both struggled a little bit at times,” Rivers finished. “Paul gets hurt. Tuck (PJ Tucker) missed shots. I told our team, I was very happy. I don’t want to lose the game, but I love how we played.”
The Sixers will have Thanksgiving off to relax and rest before continuing this three-game trip on Friday against the Orlando Magic.
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