Tag: Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid accepts responsibility after Sixers loss to Raptors

Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid accepts responsibility after a loss to the Toronto Raptors.

The Philadelphia 76ers winning streak was stopped at four after falling to the Toronto Raptors 101-96 after superstar big man Joel Embiid had himself a nightmarish game. For the first time in his basketball career, he went scoreless in a game shooting 0-for-11 and he had four turnovers along with five fouls in the loss.

It was a rare off night for the star who entered the game averaging 22.8 points and he has thrown the Sixers on his back plenty of times. On this night, the rest of the Sixers did their best to try and pick up Embiid, but they weren’t able to get it done.

Embiid accepted his responsibility in the loss as he told reporters:

It starts with me. I can’t have this type of production. I would’ve never thought I would be here talking about 0 points in an NBA game but it is what it is. Some nights you make shots, some nights you don’t.

The Sixers have now lost 14 straight games in Toronto in the regular season as they have not been able to figure out a way to win at Scotiabank Arena. Their win in Game 2 of the 2019 semifinals was their only win North of the Border over the past seven years. [lawrence-related id=20037,20031,20021]

Sixers can’t overcome Joel Embiid’s struggles, fall to Raptors 101-96

The Philadelphia 76ers fall to the Toronto Raptors on the road as Joel Embiid struggles.

It just was not his night. Joel Embiid is one of the best players in the league regardless of position, but on Monday night, the superstar big man was held scoreless for the first time in his career and shot 0-for-11 from the floor while committing five fouls and four turnovers. The Philadelphia 76ers were not able to overcome those struggles and they fell to the Toronto Raptors 101-96.

Josh Richardson picked up where he left off from the previous game and led the Sixers with 25 points and six rebounds, Tobias Harris had 18 points and five rebounds, and Ben Simmons had 10 points, 14 assists, and nine rebounds. However, it was not enough to overcome Embiid’s rare off night as they have now dropped 14 straight regular-season games in Toronto.

The Sixers received 12 points from Mike Scott and nine from Furkan Korkmaz off the bench which makes this loss so hard to take. If Embiid, who entered averaging 22.8 points on the season, just scores in double-figures, then the Sixers would have come away victorious. They just weren’t able to overcome it and Toronto’s Pascal Siakam was tough to stop down the stretch.

It comes down to a learning experience for Philadelphia as they continue to try and grow as a team and they will have to move on from this tough loss. [lawrence-related id=20037,20031,20021]

Sixers vs. Raptors preview: Sixers return to scene of the crime

The Philadelphia 76ers hit the road once again to face the Toronto Raptors.

The Philadelphia 76ers were right there in Game 7 in Toronto. They were tied at 90 and looking to force overtime before Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard got the mother of all shooter’s rolls to drop for him at the buzzer and the Sixers title hopes were dashed on that May night in The 6ix.

Fast forward six months later and the tables have turned a bit. The Sixers are right in the thick of the title contention conversations while the defending champion Raptors are more hopeful than anything after losing Leonard in the offseason. Toronto is still a good team, but are not considered to be on the same level as Philadelphia. It’s a perfect opportunity to let out some frustration from what happened in the past.

With that being said, it’s time for the game preview with all of the works:

How to watch Sixers vs. Raptors

  • Date: Monday, November 25
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
  • Location: Scotiabank Arena Toronto, ON Canada
  • TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Injury Report

  • Sixers: QUESTIONABLE: Furkan Korkmaz(left ankle sprain), Kyle O’Quinn(left calf strain)
  • Raptors: OUT: Kyle Lowry(left thumb fracture), Stanley Johnson(left groin strain), Dewan Hernandez(right thumb sprain) DOUBTFUL: Serge Ibaka(right ankle sprain)

Storylines

Sixers chemistry growing

The Sixers vaunted and hyped starting lineup has only played seven games together, but they have been a dominant lineup outscoring opponents by 29.4 points. On top of that, they believe their on-court chemistry is beginning to really grow. Josh Richardson really believes the team is beginning to grow something real after the win over the Miami Heat on Saturday.

Richardson stated:

I think I saw our chemistry get better. For instance, Tobias(Harris) and I had a little back and forth, but nothing bad. It was one of those things where I was screaming at him for the ball to get it to a mismatch, but he didn’t understand it. We then explained it and it didn’t escalate. We fist bumped it and kept it going. I saw a few other instances like that. I think when you can go at your teammates like that and come out of it positively, that’s a good step forward.

Embiid progressing in passing out of doubles

Joel Embiid is such a dominating player that teams have no choice, but to double team him when he has the ball. They will send waves of defenders at him and force him to make quick decisions which would then cause some bad turnovers. That has been the one bugaboo in his game as he really begins to polish his game. He only had two turnovers in the win over Miami and that was something to be happy about.

Coach Brett Brown stated:

We have spent a lot of time on floor spots, so some of that is on me. He knows now his outlets when he wants to quarterback a gym. He understands, and we can help him, where the double teams are coming from. We found those spots quickly and made shots from those spots. It’s always rewarding for him.

Prediction

The Raptors are a hobbled bunch, Missing Kyle Lowry is a big loss and Serge Ibaka might not even play, but Pascal Siakam has continued his progression towards stardom as he has taken his game to another level. Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and Norman Powell are all big parts of their team success. Philadelphia is beginning to find their groove, however, and it appears they’re ready to find something real moving forward. They should be able to take get rid of some demons from the playoffs.

Pick: Sixers in a close one

Sixers vs. Raptors season series

Game 1 November 25:

Game 2 December 8:

Game 3 January 22:

Game 4 March 18:

[lawrence-related id=19981,19967,19957]

Sixers believe Joel Embiid is passing better out of double teams

The Philadelphia 76ers believe Joel Embiid is getting better at passing out of double teams.

The Philadelphia 76ers are definitely a talented group that has the potential to win an NBA title right now. While they added talents Josh Richardson, Al Horford, and Tobias Harris recently, the team will only go as far as Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons take them. They are the crown jewels of the organization.

For those two to reach their potential, they need to make subtle improvements to their games. For Simmons, there are the obvious jump shot issues and for Embiid, it has been making the correct reads out of double teams.

He’s such a dominant player that he gets doubles constantly every game in order to try and slow him down. Most of the time, he still gets his numbers, but he will have high turnover games and that can hold a team back from taking the next step.

After another dominant effort in a win over the Miami Heat on Saturday night, Embiid only had two turnovers and that was on the mind of Simmons after the win as he said:

He’s getting a lot better. Since I’ve been playing with him, he’s definitely improved a lot in that area. Reading when the guy comes and helps and just making the right play.

The Sixers have put talent around Embiid where he can make the right decision passing out of the double. Whether it’s passing out to Harris and Richardson camped out at the 3-point line or if it’s playing the high-low game with Horford or finding a cutting Simmons, there are options for him.

Coach Brett Brown has done his part in helping him understand these options and the floor spots:

We have spent a lot of time on floor spots, so some of that is on me. He knows now his outlets when he wants to quarterback a gym. He understands, and we can help him, where the double teams are coming from. We found those spots quickly and made shots from those spots. It’s always rewarding for him.

The Sixers now need to hope that this progression continues because if it does, the team’s dominant starting unit becomes that much better. [lawrence-related id=19988,19981,19973]

Sixers starting unit is outscoring opponents by average of 29.4 points

The Philadelphia 76ers have one of the more elite starting lineups in the NBA.

The Philadelphia 76ers had big plans when they brought in Al Horford and Josh Richardson to join Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Tobias Harris in the starting lineup and so far, they are receiving some early season results.

The starting unit has only played seven games together out of a possible 15 due to various reasons such as injuries, suspensions, and the loathed rest day for a player, but in the little time they have gotten on the floor, they have been dominant.

The lineup has played 81 minutes as a group and they have an offensive rating of 118.2 couple with a defensive rating of 88.8. That type of dominant play has allowed them to have a net rating of plus-29.4 points. They have been absolutely terrific through this first stretch of the season.

Sixers managing partner Josh Harris said over the summer that he believes the Sixers have an elite starting lineup and so far the early returns have been very encouraging. This will still take time to completely perfect. This is not the finished product by any means and there will still be growing pains to go through, but the potential that general manager Elton Brand saw in this group is something tantalizing. [lawrence-related id=19981,19973,19967]

Sixers vs. Heat preview: Jimmy Butler makes his return to Philly

The Philadelphia 76ers seek a fourth straight win against the Miami Heat.

It’s been five months since Jimmy Butler decided to leave the Philadelphia 76ers for the Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade after 55 games with the franchise and a nice playoff run. Five months of fans dealing with anger and shock over the Sixers losing a player of such star caliber.

On Saturday night, they’ll finally be able to unleash that pent up anger.

The Sixers will look to make it four wins in a row when they welcome in Butler and the red hot Heat who are sitting at 11-3 after they knocked off the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Philadelphia will be looking to remain undefeated at home after they beat the San Antonio Spurs on Friday and both teams will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

With that said, it’s time for the preview with everything that comes with it:

How to watch Sixers vs. Heat:

  • Date: Saturday, November 23
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
  • Location: Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA
  • TV: NBATV, NBC Sports Philadelphia

Injury Report

  • Sixers: NOT YET SUBMITTED
  • Heat: NOT YET SUBMITTED

Storylines

Embiid’s relationship with Butler

Sixers All-Star Joel Embiid has made it clear that he and Butler still talk on a regular basis and he has made it known that he is a close friend of his. However, once between the lines, that friendship goes out the window and it’s time for work. Embiid understands that more than anybody as he stated:

It doesn’t matter, we’ve got to get the win. That’s my guy, obviously we talk a lot, but we’ve got to get the win. They(Miami) have been doing pretty good. They’re a pretty good team, so it’s going to be a challenge. We’ve got to come out and be ready like we did tonight and not mess around. At the end of the day, it’s all about winning the game.

Praise for Simmons

The Sixers All-Star point guard has received a ton of criticism over his lack of shooting, but that doesn’t mean he’ll back down. No matter what obstacle is thrown his way, he always seems to stand tall and bounce back. That’s something that caught coach Brett Brown’s eye after the win on Friday as he stated:

I see it in him, when he missed some free throws, it didn’t surprise me, like he was going to come back and make some. He doesn’t melt. Ben Simmons does not melt and I think that he, there’s an inner strength and confidence that I see at a young age that he bounces back.

Prediction

The Heat are more than just Butler. They have a roster filled with guys that only the hardcore NBA junkies are aware of, but guys like Duncan Robinson, Bam Adebayo, Kendrick Nunn, and others are stepping up and playing integral roles in the team’s success. The Sixers are the more talented team on paper, but this certainly will not be a cakewalk by any means. The Sixers better buckle down and be prepared for a fight, because that’s exactly what they’ll be getting.

Pick: Sixers squeak this one out

Sixers vs. Heat season series

Game 1 November 23:

Game 2 December 18:

Game 3 December 28:

Game 4 February 3:

[lawrence-related id=19894,19887,19862]

Sixers star Joel Embiid on Heat forward Jimmy Butler: ‘That’s my guy’

Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid says Jimmy Butler is still his guy ahead of a matchup with the Miami Heat.

The Philadelphia 76ers used a balanced effort to knock off the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night 115-104 as six players scored in double-digits. Tobias Harris led the way with 26 points and six rebounds and Joel Embiid added 21 points on 9-for-13 shooting with 14 rebounds.

Up next on the docket is an old friend making his first trip back to Philadelphia since the summer’s sign-and-trade. Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat will invade the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday as the Sixers will look to remain undefeated at home.

Butler recently praised Embiid calling him “special” and saying that he can be the best player in the league. Ahead of Saturday, Embiid won’t put any extra emotion into the game, but he will acknowledge that Butler is still a close friend.

Embiid said:

It doesn’t matter, we’ve got to get the win. That’s my guy, obviously we talk a lot, but we’ve got to get the win. They(Miami) have been doing pretty good. They’re a pretty good team, so it’s going to be a challenge. We’ve got to come out and be ready like we did tonight and not mess around. At the end of the day, it’s all about winning the game.

There will no doubt be an extra charge in the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday when Butler makes his return to Philly, but there is still work to be done. The Sixers are still trying to work out a lot of kinks and work out a lot of different issues on their team. It offers another opportunity to grow as a unit. [lawrence-related id=19854,19845,19823]

Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris lead balanced effort in win over Spurs

Led by Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons, the Sixers handled business against the Spurs Friday night.

The Philadelphia 76ers earned their third straight win with a 115-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs Friday night.

The Sixers established a seven-point advantage at the end of the first quarter and were able to hold off the Spurs the rest of the way. The lead remained at seven at both halftime and at the conclusion of the third quarter, and San Antonio got within a possession several times. But the Sixers never relented, taking control down the stretch and building the lead as high as 13 late in the fourth before taking the 11-point win.

It was a wonderfully balanced effort from the Sixers as all five starters reached double figures, as did James Ennis III off the bench. Tobias Harris was the star Friday night, while Ben Simmons did an excellent job making the Sixers go despite having a tough night shooting the ball.

Harris finished with a team-high 26 points, shooting 10-for-16 from the field and 3-5 from beyond the arc. He added six rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal. He displayed a nice all-around offensive game, scoring from all three levels. It was the kind of performance the Sixers and their fans have been wanting to see from Harris.

As mentioned, Simmons struggled from the field, shooting just 3-for-10 and scoring 10 points. But he finished with a triple-double, adding 13 assist and 10 rebounds. His distribution was a big factor in the win.

Joel Embiid and Al Horford made an impact as well. Embiid finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block. He was 9-for-13 from the field. Horford had an excellent game as well with 18 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.

Despite struggling in a starting role on Wednesday, Furkan Korkmaz was again awarded the start in Josh Richardson’s absence and responded nicely with 17 points, four rebounds, and two steals. He shot 4-for-7 from deep.

It was a quiet night for the bench, but Ennis III had 13 points. Trey Burke struggled, shooting just 2-for-9, but he made a couple nice plays while contributing four points and two assists.

The Sixers were dominant on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 51-32 while pulling down 13 offensive rebounds. They had 32 assists on 46 made baskets (and moving to 5-0 when they have 30+ assists). The shooting was also good, with the Sixers connecting on 51.7% from the floor and 38.5% from deep.

All-in-all it was a solid performance and the Sixers took care of business in a game they were expected to win. They improved to 10-5 on the season and a perfect 6-0 at home. It will be a quick turnaround for the team, as it hosts old friend Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat Saturday night. That game is scheduled for a 7:30 PM tip.

Sixers vs. Spurs preview: Sixers look to make it three wins in a row

The Philadelphia 76ers look to win three games in a row against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Philadelphia 76ers are feeling good being back home after a 1-2 road trip. They knocked off the New York Knicks on Wednesday to remain a perfect 5-0 at home. It wasn’t an easy win by any sort, but a win is a win and it showed off the team’s ability to dig deep and rally from being down big once again.

In come the San Antonio Spurs who are entering on a very un-Spurs like 7-game losing skid. The Spurs are 28th in the league in defensive rating at 114.0 and that type of defense is surprising from a Gregg Popovich coached team.

With that being said, it’s time to break down the matchup with the TV guide, injury report, storylines, and a prediction:

How to watch Sixers vs. Spurs

  • Date: Friday, November 22
  • Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
  • Location: Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA
  • TV: ESPN, NBC Sports Philadelphia

Injury Report

  • Sixers: QUESTIONABLE: Josh Richardson(right hip flexor), Trey Burke(left knee and ankle soreness)
  • Spurs: QUESTIONABLE: Derrick White(left foot soreness)

Storylines

Brown’s respect for Pop

Sixers coach Brett Brown has had plenty of matchups against his former mentor, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, but it’s still always special when they matchup. Brown also does not care what record the Spurs are carrying into the game nor does he care for their 7-game losing skid. He has too much respect for what they have done to sleep on them.

Brown stated on Thursday:

I didn’t even know that number. I don’t care what the number is. They’re coahed by Gregg Popovich and I know the large majority of their coaching staff still exists, not as many of the players, and so I don’t even pay attention to it. I really don’t. My fondness and my respect for Pop and my friendship with Pop is extended 2+ decades and I just don’t care what they’ve been doing and if they had won 15 in a row, I’d give you the same answer. All’s I’m doing is looking down there and seeing Pop and the San Antonio Spurs and I know we better bring our A-game or we’re going to be in for a long night.

Horford not worried about struggles

Al Horford was one of the more hyped free agency pickups over the summer, but has yet to really find his niche offensively. His shooting percentages are down across the board from his 2018-19 season with the Boston Celtics and it’s easy to really begin worrying about him, but the veteran isn’t worried at all. He stated on Thursday at practice:

It’s just the more organized that we are and the more that we understand kind of where we want to be on the court, that determines that. For me, it’s just making sure that I stay ready. I’ve been putting in the work so I just have to continue to do that. I know I’ll be fine.

Prediction

This is not the Spurs of old. There is no Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, or Kawhi Leonard to lead the way. Instead, it’s LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan trying to lead the way and they don’t have the same type of mystique that the Spurs teams of the past. This is another game that Philadelphia should be able to win at home and it gives Joel Embiid a chance to dominate in the paint.

Pick: Sixers win by nine

Sixers vs. Spurs season series

Game 1 November 22:

Game 2 April 10:

[lawrence-related id=19822,19807,19777]

Sixers using newfound stability to facilitate chemistry

With a truly stable roster for the first time in years, the new-look Sixers are looking to build championship-caliber chemistry.

The Philadelphia 76ers have gone through years of upheaval. From the losing and constant player movement of the process years to a roster that was revamped in-season last year as Elton Brand pushed the accelerator on the team’s push to contention, nothing has stayed the same for very long in the Sixers’ world.

Now, that has changed. The team has settled on the core roster construction it hopes will take it to the promised land, and every member of that core is under contract for the foreseeable future. And now, finally, the team has the opportunity to build the type of chemistry that can make the difference when teams find themselves in difficult circumstances like, for instance, tight playoff games/series.

ESPN’s Zach Lowe took a deep dive into the current state of the Sixers in which he shared some interesting tidbits regarding just how the team is going about building that chemistry.

Lowe notes the team celebration that occurred the night of Furkan Korkmaz’s game-winner against the Trail Blazers and how three nights later, in Utah, Ben Simmons joined Joel Embiid and some team staff to watch a Bulls-Lakers game in the hotel lounge. Simmons is noticing a difference. “The chemistry is much better. Guys are giving up their time to bond,” he told ESPN.

Lowe indicates that Al Horford and Tobias Harris have taken the lead in organizing team dinners, with Harris identifying the best steakhouse in each city they visit to please Embiid. Horford stresses the importance of such gatherings, and the team seems to be responding if you consider attendance a reliable indication.

Harris, meanwhile, has noticed a change in the reaction to losses, with the team taking on a much angrier mood in defeat. That, too, is a positive sign.

As the new-look Sixers try to find their way, a strong bond and getting to know each other off the court can only help that process along. On the court, there have been hiccups in this young season, and that will likely continue for a while longer. But news that the team is working to build camaraderie off the court, and finding success, is great news for the Sixers going forward and will only help to further serve the on-court goals.  [lawrence-related id=19822,19579]