PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers are 8-3 to begin the 2023-24 campaign under new coach Nick Nurse. There haven’t been too many issues to point out or complain about.
However, if there is one issue it’s the team’s play at the end of the first quarter and the third quarter when Tyrese Maxey heads to the bench to rest. They have had a tough time finding a rhythm, and Wednesday’s loss to the Boston Celtics was a prime example.
When Maxey went to the bench at the 4:57 mark of the first quarter, the Sixers trailed 20-17. By the time Maxey was back in to start the second quarter, the Celtics had opened a 37-22 lead.
Another example was on Tuesday in a loss to the Indiana Pacers. Maxey was subbed out with 5:22 to go in the first and Philadelphia leading 22-21. The Pacers ended up going on a 15-8 run with him on the bench.
“I’ll say it’s been bad the whole season,” Joel Embiid said about those minutes when Maxey is off the floor. “Usually, we’ve had a good run in those minutes with me on the floor with any four guys, but lately, I don’t know why it’s been a problem, but then again, we’re pretty limited, but guys are working hard. We also missing a couple of key guys.”
Embiid is right that the Sixers are missing some important pieces at the moment. Nic Batum is away from the team due to personal reasons and Kelly Oubre Jr. is recovering from the injuries sustained when he was struck by a vehicle. When Maxey goes to the bench, the Sixers have to lean on others to step up.
“Nic has been helping us since he’s been here,” Embiid continued. “Obviously, Kelly with that second unit. So like I said, it’s not an excuse. We just got to be better, but we just got to figure it out.”
The Sixers still have talented players. Patrick Beverley, Marcus Morris Sr., Jaden Springer, Furkan Korkmaz, and Danuel House Jr. have to do a better job of handling the ball and helping the offense run when Maxey is on the bench.
“A lot of teams just decide to just double me, and, obviously, the game plan is just double and just make everybody else beat them and we just gotta take advantage of it,” Embiid finished. “I got to make better reads, but we just got to take advantage of it.”
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