Tag: Matisse Thybulle

Player grades: James Harden leads Sixers past Jazz to begin road trip

James Harden leads the Philadelphia 76ers past the Utah Jazz to begin a five-game road trip.

The Philadelphia 76ers were looking to begin their five-game road trip on the right note when they paid a visit to the Utah Jazz on Saturday to begin the trip. The Sixers were also looking to bounce back from a poor defensive effort in a loss on Thursday at home.

They got off to an excellent start as they scored 41 points in the first quarter and built up a 20-point lead by playing with pace and sharing the ball. They got away from that a bit as the Jazz worked their way back into the game and took the lead late, but Philadelphia was able to then escape with a 118-117 victory. James Harden led the Sixers with 31 points, 11 assists, and six rebounds on the night.

Joel Embiid had 30 points and seven rebounds while drilling the game-winner with 4.9 seconds left, Tyrese Maxey had 21 points, and Shake Milton had 17 points off the bench.

Here are the player grades after the win:

HoopsHype believes Matisse Thybulle is best trade asset for Sixers

HoopsHype views Matisse Thybulle as the only trade asset the Philadelphia 76ers currently possess.

The Feb. 9 NBA trade deadline is rapidly approaching and now is the time for teams to begin figuring out how they can upgrade their rosters for the stretch run of the season.

The Philadelphia 76ers, led by president Daryl Morey, will likely be in the running for upgrades to their roster, but they don’t have many assets. The Sixers are obviously not trading Joel Embiid, James Harden, or Tyrese Maxey, and it’s tough to see teams trading for Tobias Harris right now due to his massive contract.

The question then becomes what can the Sixers really offer teams? HoopsHype believes that Philadelphia can only offer up a guy like Matisse Thybulle:

The Sixers will be on the lookout for upgrades to the bench but are extremely limited in assets. They are limited in trading all but one future first-round pick in 2029, which they probably are better off keeping for now. Other than that they can only trade a 2023 and 2029 second-round pick. With so few draft picks available to move, it’s going to be tough for them to add a difference-maker to the roster.

They are also devoid of expendable prospects that could interest other teams. Their best player who fits that description is Matisse Thybulle whose value is in the eye of the beholder. Others players who aren’t in their regular rotation are unlikely to generate positive trade value. Thankfully their core is playing well together and the Sixers don’t need to trade anybody from it for upgrades. If they can make an upgrade they’ll be on the lookout for another forward and backup big man. The latter could probably be found in the buyout market.

Moving Thybulle might be a bit foolish for this group. Yes, his offense is up and down, but he is a valuable defender off the bench. The Sixers are 9-0 when Thybulle plays 20+ minutes in a game and Philadelphia should consider making him a rotation regular rather than thinking of any trades involving him.

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Sixers discuss struggles defending Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Philadelphia 76ers discuss their struggles in defending Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a loss.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers were looking to pick up a win over a young Oklahoma City Thunder team before heading out on the road for five games. The Sixers had handled business in a professional manner against the Detroit Pistons and needed another such effort against the Thunder.

It didn’t happen.

Philadelphia was porous on the defensive end of the floor, and they struggled with Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The slippery guard had 37 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the Thunder walked away with a 133-114 win.

“He’s tall,” said Tyrese Maxey who had a tough time with him to start the game. “He’s talented and he’s able to draw fouls really well. So he’s a tough guard for anybody.”

When asked if there was anything they could have done differently, coach Doc Rivers was at a loss for ideas.

“I guess double team,” said Rivers. “Of course, there’s always something different after the game. We did double-team him, and he scored or made the right decision. We tried to deny, he back-cut us four times, literally everything we did, he took advantage of. I think a lot of that is on us and how we approached the game.”

The way Gilgeous-Alexander plays is a bit different than any other star. He has a different speed than others when he has the ball out on the floor and Philadelphia just couldn’t find a way to corral him.

The Thunder star victimized Maxey, De’Anthony Melton, Matisse Thybulle and whoever was in front of him. They just couldn’t figure it out.

“He’s just an elusive player,” Thybulle said of SGA. “He plays at a different pace and a different cadence and if you’re not playing the scout, then he can really take advantage of your mistakes.”

The Sixers head out on the road for five games beginning with the Utah Jazz on Saturday.

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Multiple Sixers discuss overlooking young Thunder in loss at home

The Philadelphia 76ers discuss overlooking the young Oklahoma City Thunder in a loss at home.

PHILADELPHIA — On paper, the Philadelphia 76ers are the much better team than their opponent on Thursday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Sixers feature Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey and others. The Thunder feature two rookies and a second-year player in their starting lineup.

However, this is the NBA. Any team can be beaten on any night and that’s what happened on Thursday. The Thunder marched into the Wells Fargo Center and knocked off the Sixers, 133-114. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 37 points for Oklahoma City and the team shot 51.2% from the floor.

Josh Giddey added 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds as the Thunder brought the Sixers back down to earth after Philadelphia beat up on the Detroit Pistons for two games.

Player grades: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder in win over Sixers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the way for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers on the road.

PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers were looking to sweep this quick two-game homestand as well as the season series with the Oklahoma City Thunder before they head out on the road for five games. The Thunder are a rebuilding team still trying to find their way, but they do scrap out on the floor.

Oklahoma City built a 19-point lead as the Sixers faced adversity after two very easy wins over the Detroit Pistons. Led by James Harden, Philadelphia was able to rally and take a lead in the third quarter, but was brief as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was able to rally the Thunder past the Sixers 133-114. Gilgeous-Alexander had 37 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

Harden had 24 points, six rebounds, and 15 assists. Joel Embiid added 30 points and 10 rebounds, Tyrese Maxey added 17 points and six, and Tobias Harris had 13. De’Anthony Melton hopped off the bench and had eight points while Georges Niang added 10 points.

Here are the player grades following the loss at home:

Matisse Thybulle excited for success former Sixers guard Isaiah Joe is having

Matisse Thybulle is happy to see former Philadelphia 76ers guard Isaiah Joe having success with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

CAMDEN, N.J. — When the Philadelphia 76ers play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night, they will welcome back Isaiah Joe. The young man out of Arkansas spent two seasons with the Sixers before being waived after the preseason.

Joe landed with the Thunder shortly before the season began, and he is averaging a career-high 13.5 minutes in Oklahoma City. He’s averaging a career-high 7 points and 2 rebounds while shooting a career-high 43.5% from deep and a career-high 46.1% from the floor.

He is getting more of an opportunity with the Thunder than he would ever receive with the Sixers, and he’s taking advantage of it. He has been a focus in the film room for the Sixers in their preparation for this contest.

“I mean he was in the film knocking down 3s,” said Matisse Thybulle. “Like he’s definitely someone we need to be careful when he comes off the bench, and he makes a huge difference for this team as far as just being a spark offensively.”

Joe also had a great relationship with his former Sixers teammates. Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris gave kudos to Joe when he had a big game for the Thunder in October.

Thybulle had the same thoughts for Joe on Thursday morning.

“As a friend, like as an old teammate, I’m really happy to see the success he’s been having,” he said.

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Player grades: Joel Embiid returns, Sixers easily beat Pistons again

Joel Embiid returns as the Philadelphia 76ers cruise to another easy win over the Detroit Pistons at home.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers returned home to host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday looking to sweep both the home-and-home series and the season series between the two teams. The Pistons were missing a number of key pieces and it showed.

Philadelphia led by as many as 41 as they took care of business and destroyed the undermanned Pistons at home, 147-116.

Joel Embiid returned from a three-game absence. He had 36 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Sixers as he looked his aggressive best.

James Harden had another triple-double with 16 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds, Tobias Harris had 14 points on 6-for-6 shooting and six rebounds, and Tyrese Maxey had 16 points as well. PJ Tucker also chipped in with six and eight rebounds as the Sixers played with their regular starting lineup for the first time since Oct. 29. Shake Milton had 11 points and five assists, Jaden Springer had 10, and Montrezl Harrell had eight off the bench.

Here are the player grades following the win:

Matisse Thybulle receives love from Sixers after win over Pistons

The Philadelphia 76ers give love to Matisse Thybulle after a road win over the Detroit Pistons.

DETROIT — The Philadelphia 76ers were short-handed as they paid a visit to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. Down Joel Embiid and PJ Tucker, they needed others to step up.

They did. The Sixers came away with a rather easy 123-111 win and improved to 24-15. Philadelphia led by as many as 23, and the Pistons never seriously threatened.

While guys like James Harden, Montrezl Harrell and Tyrese Maxey were at the forefront of the win, Matisse Thybulle deserves credit as well. The defensive star out of Washington had five steals off the bench, and he was terrific all around in the win.

“When he’s in passing lanes, he’s contesting shots, he has really good defensive instincts,” said Harden. “He used those. It just helps our team. He was active tonight (Sunday).”

Detroit could not find any easy passing lanes when Thybulle was on the floor. He was constantly jumping the lanes and coming up with steals to go the other way for easy shots.

“At this point, I think they were just passing it to him,” Tyrese Maxey added. “He’s just good. That’s why he’s good at it. He’s good at getting his hands on a lot of deflections, a lot of balls, and stuff like that.”

Thybulle played 22:56 off the bench in the win. That number is significant as Philadelphia improved to 9-0 on the season when he plays over 20 minutes. When he makes an impact as he did in the win over the Pistons, it’s a game-changer for Philadelphia.

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Player grades: James Harden leads Sixers to easy win over Pistons

James Harden leads the Philadelphia 76ers past the Detroit Pistons easily on the road on Sunday afternoon.

DETROIT–The Philadelphia 76ers were short-handed on Sunday afternoon as they invaded the Little Caesars Arena to take on the Detroit Pistons, but it wouldn’t matter against a struggling Pistons team.

Despite not missing Joel Embiid and PJ Tucker, the Sixers were able to pick up a rather easy ???-??? win. Philadelphia built a 17-point lead in the first half and the Pistons never really threatened in the second half as the Sixers were able to bounce back from a loss at home. James Harden finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in an excellent day for him on the floor.

Montrezl Harrell drew the start and had 20 points and six rebounds, Tyrese Maxey added 23 to lead Philadelphia, and Tobias Harris had 12 and five rebounds. Georges Niang had 14 and Paul Reed added 16 and 11 rebounds off the bench.

Here are the player grades following the win:

Multiple Sixers explain how they kept losing Bulls star Zach LaVine

The Philadelphia 76ers explain how they kept losing Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine in a loss at home.

PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers were looking to end their three-game homestand on a high note. After winning the first two games, the Sixers were looking to sweep all three games as the Chicago Bulls invaded the Well Fargo Center on Friday night.

Despite missing Joel Embiid, the Sixers were feeling good about their chances as they had just won a game without the big fella on Wednesday.

However, Bulls star Zach LaVine spoiled everything as he was drilling 3-pointers like they were layups. LaVine had 41 points on 14-for-19 shooting overall, but he was 11-for-13 from deep. Just two shy of his career-high of 13 made 3-pointers.

After the 126-112 loss to the Bulls, the Sixers did their best to explain just what went wrong and how they kept losing LaVine.