With streaking Celtics subsequent up, Sixers search improved ‘group’ offensively initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Philadelphia
A lot has modified for the Sixers since they final confronted the Celtics.
Again on Dec. 1, Patrick Beverley’s 26-point, eight-rebound, seven-assist evening wasn’t fairly sufficient to guide the staff to an undermanned win.
After a 1-2 homestand that completed with a blowout loss to the Bucks, the Sixers shall be clear underdogs once more after they go to TD Backyard on Tuesday.
“I simply got here again,” Nicolas Batum mentioned following apply Monday. “(De’Anthony Melton) simply got here again. Now we have Kyle Lowry, Buddy Hield, Cam Payne. We don’t have Joel (Embiid) … so it is lots of stuff happening proper now.
“So we all know we’re struggling proper now, however we confirmed some flashes after we can play nice as effectively. We simply cannot quit. Simply received to maintain preventing. … We’ve received to battle and preserve working. Immediately was a terrific day in apply. It was a terrific day. We’ve received to get to know one another. These (apply) days are nice for us and we will be OK.”
Embiid and Robert Covington stay out with left knee accidents. KJ Martin (questionable — proper ankle impingement) was the one different Sixer on the staff’s Monday evening damage report. Boston is absolutely wholesome. The 45-12 Celtics are driving an eight-game profitable streak and have a 26-3 dwelling document this season.
In Embiid’s absence, the Sixers haven’t been near that degree. They’ve gained simply 4 of 11 video games for the reason that seven-time All-Star huge man suffered his lateral meniscus damage in opposition to the Warriors. The Sixers rank twenty third this month in each offensive and defensive ranking outdoors of rubbish time, per Cleansing the Glass.
Head coach Nick Nurse wasn’t happy along with his staff’s offensive group in opposition to Milwaukee.
Is he now extra inclined to lean on play calls? Does he need his new gamers problem-solving on their very own?
“It’s received to be a bit little bit of each,” Nurse mentioned. “I believe you have to have some construction and group, and then you definately’ve received to have the ability to play out of that. The play calls are usually not going to get you a shot each time.
“So what are we going to do then? What are we doing up the ground in transition? Are we getting good spacing? Are we relocating? Are we making the additional cross? These form of issues, that’s offense typically. … Each are necessary. They form of match collectively.”
Transition offense continues to be a basic space for the Embiid-less Sixers. With out the NBA’s scoring champion, they know any possibilities to assault within the open ground are price making an attempt to grab.
The execution clearly isn’t solely easy and intuitive but.
“Final evening was an evening we needed to attempt to play so much sooner,” Nurse mentioned. “We most likely didn’t get it completed to the extent we needed to. I do know it sounds actually foolish, however that’s the place group begins. You get a rebound and 4 guys are within the paint.
“Who’s working what lanes? And we have been working on high of one another and criss-crossing. Once more, that wants some apply and a few really feel. … If we get a rebound, the place’s the outlet going? Who’s bringing it, who’s trailing, who’s rim working? So we labored on that as we speak, and I believe that’s the place we’re making an attempt to go with this crew particularly.”
The Sixers will intention for higher solutions to all these questions over their remaining 25 regular-season video games.
First up is their remaining matchup in opposition to the Celtics, who already maintain a 7.5-game lead on the high of the Japanese Convention standings.
“The schedule’s the schedule,” Nurse mentioned. “Received to play it. Doesn’t get any simpler, that’s for certain.”
