4 Takeaways from the Sixers’ First Two Games
The Sixers have gone one-and-one in their first two games back, losing the first game to the Domantas Sabonis-less Indiana Pacers and defeating the San Antonio Spurs just last night.
Both games turned out to be true nail-biters at different points but created two different results. Despite the different results, there are some similarities between the two games.
Here are the key takeaways from games one and two of the Sixers’ return.
The Sixers Are Back in Mid-Season Form
Does anyone else get chest pain from watching Sixers games? There is a sick routine to every 76ers’ game and it never fails to make the fans question everything about this team.
Every game seems to be tightly contested in the first half, followed by the Sixers pulling away in the third quarter, only to squander whatever lead they amounted and leave the game up to be decided in the last three to four minutes of basketball.
These leads that have been established earlier in games cannot be continued to be evaporated every fourth quarter when Joel Embiid goes to the bench. If the Sixers want to win a championship, they will have to learn how to keep the lead. The team seems to have no problem establishing a lead, but keeping one seems to be the main issue.
Raul Neto’s Minutes
It seems as though Brett Brown and the Sixers’ coaching staff have decided that Raul Neto will be that backup. Maintaining a backup role is perfectly fine and making sure Ben Simmons has plenty of rest for the fourth quarter is crucial, but Raul Neto should not be in the game over players like Matisse Thybulle in crunch time.
Neto is absolute defensive liability, even worse than J.J. Redick of years past. Neto also has a tendency to take ill-advised shots and worst of all, turn the ball over. Speaking of turning the ball over…
Turnovers
To say the Sixers turn the ball over too much is an understatement. Ball control is crucial, especially in the playoffs. This team cannot expect to make a deep playoff run when there are games when the Sixers enter halftime with almost 20 turnovers. These aren’t always errant passes either. There are some blatant bad decisions and a lack of hustle on the court at times.
If the Sixers cannot control the ball once the playoffs roll around, an early exit may be staring the team in the face.
Joel is Ready
These takeaways are not all bad. Joel Embiid has looked stellar in the first two games. Posting incredible stat lines in both games, Embiid looks to be playoff ready.
It will be important to monitor Joel and not burn him out before the playoffs even begin, but if Joel plays at this rate, he may be able to carry the team on his own.
What were some of your takeaways from the first two Sixers’ games?
Featured Image: USA Today Sports
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