The Philadelphia 76ers are battling through a spate of injuries. After falling to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, they are 9-9 entering the Thanksgiving holiday.
One positive the Sixers can lean on is the play of Shake Milton and De’Anthony Melton. The two have stepped in for the injured James Harden and Tyrese Maxey, and they have played well.
In Tuesday’s loss, Milton had 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Melton poured in 20 points with six rebounds and four steals. This was the second straight game the two have played well together.
“He is easy to play with, somebody that is so versatile who can do so many things offensively and defensively, he is just really easy to bounce ideas off of,” Milton told reporters of Melton. “When you’re on the court with him and able to catch a rhythm with him, it’s just something about people that really know how to play the game of basketball whether it be cutting, coming off pin downs, passing the ball, playing defense. Those are the kind of guys you want to play with, and luckily this team is filled with guys like that.”
As far as the loss to the Hornets is concerned, the Sixers couldn’t come up with enough energy. They started great, but Charlotte took control in the second and third quarters. It doesn’t help that Milton and the Sixers had an emotionally charged game on Tuesday.
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“I think they went on that run in the third quarter,” Milton added. “I think we had some turnovers and they got into a rhythm late that we weren’t able to get the stops that we needed to. Offensively, our game just didn’t have that little bit of pop to it, I think ultimately is what gave them the edge.”
The Sixers have Thanksgiving off before they take on the Orlando Magic on Friday to continue their road trip.
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