The Philadelphia 76ers were undermanned on Friday as they were missing starting power forward Al Horford for a second straight game. So, the Sixers responded by bringing in Norvel Pelle for some good minutes.
Pelle was the first big man off the bench in Friday’s 116-109 win over the New Orleans Pelicans and he played well. He had six points and five rebounds with three blocked shots in a little less than 12 minutes of playing time.
“Just wanted to see what we have in him,” said coach Brett Brown. “We got a little taste in New York, I wanted to see more. I thought he was really good. He is sort of Nerlens (Noel) like to me. A rim protector, shot blocker, quick off the floor, I thought he was good.”
Noel played 2.5 seasons in Philadelphia before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks and he averaged 1.6 blocks per game during his time with the Sixers including averaging 1.9 blocks per game as a rookie. Pelle, who had four blocked shots in his debut against the New York Knicks, has those types of tendencies.
“Energy, every game he’s going to bring you energy,” said Ben Simmons. “He loves blocking shots, risking his body for those blocks, and protecting the rim. I love having him as a part of this team. He reminds me of Nerlens, that same body, size, he can run the floor, so I love it.”
Pelle did have five fouls in his time, but it’s something that Brown is not worried about that.
“I almost don’t even care, he played hard and he fouled,” the coach added. “I feel like I can go back and answer it better when I look at the types of fouls, but if his fouls are he’s trying to block a shot, good. I never felt like the fouls, as I remember them, as undisciplined. I thought he was just trying to make a play at the rim.”
The Sixes will now hit the road to face the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday in a playoff rematch. [lawrence-related id=21304,21296,21272]