Sixers Must Look to Maintain Dominance as They Wrap up 2019
In what was arguably the single most-anticipated game on their 2019 slate this season, the Sixers defended their homecourt and flat out shutdown Giannis and his Bucks counterparts on Christmas.
Through 33 games, no other result has truly deserved the designation of a “statement win” quite like the Sixers’ latest 121-109 victory over the 1st place Milwaukee Bucks. This team rendered the reigning MVP a nonfactor offensively, hit 21/44 3PA (47.7%), and committed just 7 turnovers. Three members of the starting 5 –Ben Simmons, Al Horford, and Joel Embiid – produced double-doubles while the other two – Josh Richardson and Tobias Harris – combined for 40 points. The Sixers reasserted themselves back into the top of East after what’s been an up and down last week and a half.
Earlier this month, I wrote about how the Sixers needed to close out the month of December with a record of 10-5 at worst, if they wanted to keep pace with the teams (Bucks and Raptors) who earned the #1/#2 East playoff seeds last season. Soon after, fans got a little unexpected 25-point present from Davis Bertans but seemingly didn’t have anything to worry about after a 5-game win streak…until the team lost 3 straight, including their 1st and 2nd home losses of the season. Currently back on track and riding a 3-game win streak, the Sixers are 8-4 with three games remaining in 2019. The math actually works out perfectly, and the Sixers should end the month on a 10-5 run (11-5 overall). However, with all three upcoming games on the road…simply put it’s not gonna be easy.
By the time the Sixers suit up again, in Orlando, they would’ve had one “off” day. By all means, as a top team in the East coming off their biggest win of the season, the Sixers shouldn’t have any problems dealing with a playoff “bubble” team. The latter half of their impending back to back when they face the Heat is what fans should worry about. Hopefully, the Sixers can swiftly take care of their business with the Magic and not expend too much of the starting 5’s energy so that they’re fully ready to go in Miami the next day. If not, who knows what could happen in the 2nd matchup of the Sixers’ first, true road back to the back of the season.
Heat fans will surely give the Sixers a warm, Miami welcome, and this team needs to make another statement to the East and rest of the NBA by matching their Christmas intensity. One way or another, this 1st Sixers-Heat game in Miami feels like it’s shaping up to be either a Josh Richardson or Jimmy Butler revenge game(s).
The Sixers conclude their December 2019 in Indiana on New Year’s Eve. A few days rest after their Miami pitstop will definitely help prepare the Sixers for what should be a dogfight of a game. At the very least, Joel Embiid will certainly have a little extra motivation considering the comments Pacers Asst. Coach Dan Burke made about him specifically following the Sixers’ home win on November 30th, along the lines of “He (Joel) gets away with a bunch of crap.” In the same interview, Burke was also quite blunt in his dislike of the Sixers, saying, “I hate that team.” Regardless of the outcomes of the Sixers’ back to back in Florida on the 27th and 28th, coaches and players alike will be itching to get a win right before the New Year.
So many expectations have been put on this Sixers team, rightfully so, and they are trending in a great direction. There’s never a win/loss quota any team has to hit close to the halfway point of the season, but the reality is there’s a pace the Sixers must keep with the three teams currently ahead of them in the Eastern Conference standings.
Fans were just given quite the Christmas gift, and all are eager to see how this team builds on their best showing of the season.
Featured Image: Sarah Stier/Getty Images
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