3 observations after Sixers blow out NZ Breakers of their preseason opener

3 observations after Sixers blow out NZ Breakers of their preseason opener initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Philadelphia

Inside a few minutes, there was little doubt the 2024-25 Sixers would start their preseason with a particularly decisive victory.

The workforce opened its preseason Monday evening at Wells Fargo Middle by coasting to a 139-84 win over the Nationwide Basketball League’s New Zealand Breakers.

Tyrese Maxey was among the many Sixers’ many environment friendly gamers, recording 15 first-quarter factors on 5-for-7 capturing (4 for five from three-point vary) and three assists.

Neither Joel Embiid nor Paul George performed as they ramp up for the video games that depend. Each gamers had been on the ground Monday morning following the Sixers’ shootaround.

The workforce’s second exhibition sport shall be Friday evening vs. the Timberwolves in Des Moines, Iowa. Listed here are observations on their blowout win in opposition to the Breakers:

Drummond letting ‘em fly 

Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond slid into the Sixers’ beginning lineup. True to type, Drummond was particularly attention-grabbing to look at.

He scored the sport’s first hoop, ending inside off a Maxey hit-ahead feed. Gordon grew to become the fifth Sixers starter on the board when he drained a three-pointer after a Drummond offensive board. The massive expertise disparity between the groups was instantly obvious; a Maxey triple grew the Sixers’ result in 13-1.

Drummond then bought in on the three-point enjoyable, drilling a catch-and-shoot jumper from the left nook.

The final time Drummond made a regular-season three was Feb. 24, 2020. It appears fairly inconceivable that he’ll rework right into a severe capturing menace, however he’s clearly been engaged on his jumper and is keen to fireplace in video games when left wide-open. He tried one other one later within the first quarter and missed it.

Drummond performed the evening’s first seven minutes and alter, posting 5 factors and 5 rebounds in his opening stint. On a much less optimistic observe, he was known as for 2 early fouls. Drummond likes to poke round and seek for pressured turnovers, which is a trait the Sixers’ Nick Nurse will probably tolerate greater than the typical head coach.

Maxey and McCain’s shotmaking 

Maxey’s outing was precisely what you’d count on from the one All-Star on the ground.

He performed the complete first interval and was speedy, shifty and not possible for the Breakers to cease. The fifth-year guard struck stability between aggressive shotmaking and spreading the ball round to his teammates, too.

Jared McCain additionally knocked down 4 three-pointers on 9 long-distance makes an attempt.

Within the second quarter, the rookie guard hit a step-back three and later canned two catch-and-shoot triples in a row. For a younger participant aiming to each impress and be taught the skilled sport, it’s absolutely a pleasant confidence-builder to see jumpers drop.

McCain’s evening was a blended bag total. He was 1 for five contained in the arc and bought crushed a number of occasions off the dribble defensively. In a team-high 28 minutes, the 20-year-old had 15 factors, seven rebounds and three assists.

Eye on the rotation image 

Although Nurse on media day described Guerschon Yabusele as “not a 3 and … not likely a 5,” the 28-year-old Frenchman performed at middle behind Drummond. He’s evidently a backup massive man choice.

Showing within the NBA for the primary time since 2019, Yabusele had 15 factors on 6-for-6 capturing and two assists.

“It feels particular, simply to return into the world,” he stated Monday morning of his NBA return. “It’s been nice to this point. I’m simply having fun with it, making an attempt to have as a lot enjoyable as I can and studying to get higher.”

Yabusele will presumably play most of his minutes at energy ahead on full-strength nights for the Sixers. Regardless, he seems like a participant who ought to have the ability to discover factors merely by means of working the ground and planting himself within the paint each time he’s bought a juicy cross-match. He ought to have some success as a tough curler off his screens as nicely.

Rookie Adem Bona was the Sixers’ third-string middle in opposition to the Breakers, enjoying in youthful lineups with teammates like McCain, Justin Edwards and Lester Quinones.

Different rotation objects of observe:

Kyle Lowry shared the ground with Maxey for the ultimate 5 or so minutes of the primary quarter. The veteran notched 5 assists in his 10 first-half minutes.

KJ Martin performed behind Caleb Martin as a backup energy ahead and chipped in six factors, three rebounds and two steals. Nurse commented pregame that the Sixers have seen substantial enchancment from the 23-year-old Martin as a shooter since final season. He didn’t take any three-pointers Monday, however we’ll quickly see whether or not that progress interprets to video games.

Ricky Council IV confirmed off his explosive athleticism to the tune of 13 factors on 5-for-5 capturing and 6 rebounds. A spotlight’s all the time attainable when he’s storming ahead within the open ground.

Like KJ Martin, Council will hope to earn early-season rotation time by means of robust preseason work.