When things are going good for the Philadelphia 76ers on the offensive end of the floor, it is when they are moving the ball. They are getting into the paint, attracting defenders, and then looking for each other in that type of atmosphere on offense.
In their 134-99 blowout win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, the Sixers totaled 35 assists and shot 57.1% from the floor. That allowed Danny Green and Seth Curry to knock down a combined seven triples and it allowed the team as a whole to find their offensive groove.
“It was well,” said Ben Simmons. “We looked like we were just playing with pace and moving ball and playing with each other. I think it was good overall. I think we’re just finding the open man.”
Philadelphia will be missing Joel Embiid for a couple of weeks and until they can get their superstar big man back out on the floor, this is the way the Sixers have to play. They have to be able to play for each other and make those sacrifices in order to succeed.
“We have to play that way,” said Curry. “We got to play with a little bit faster pace in transition, but also got to play a faster pace in the half-court without Jo out there. Spread the floor out a little bit more and create driving lanes. We got to do it together as a whole. We don’t really have Joel out there who we can just throw the ball to him and give us 30 a night. We got to create offense together, move the ball, and attack matchups.”
It also does help that the team, while still relatively new, has been together for about half a season now. The Sixers have been able to build some chemistry with each other and understand how coach Doc Rivers wants his team to play on offense.
“We’ve been together now half a season,” said Rivers. “We work on spacing and guys are passing the ball right now, and it’s amazing why that stops at some point, and then you have to remind them to, but it happens. Right now we’re doing a great job of what we call the flow pass. Our flow passes have been unbelievable over the stretch. I bet they’ve heard that word 1 million times and they’re doing it, they’re accepting it, and it’s been really good.”
Tobias Harris led Philadelphia with 23 points as he continued his solid season, but what stands out the most about his performance is that he had seven assists. He is leading the ball movement style the team has to play with.
“There’s just a culture that we’ve been building here,” said Harris. “The attitude that we’ve been building day after day, that winning type atmosphere, and it was just next guy up, next mentality, and other guys step up. That’s been huge for us all year long and especially tonight and the games that we’ve played without guys.”
The Sixers will look to continue their strong play when they host the improved New York Knicks on Tuesday.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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