The Philadelphia 76ers lost their third straight game on Sunday night, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers 111-98. The Sixers’ record now stands at 12-12 on the season.
- Even though the Lakers have been a major disappointment this season, the Sixers were still going into this game facing an uphill battle. Jrue Holiday missed his second straight game, and his absence really hurts this team. However, Holiday’s absence wasn’t the problem tonight. The Sixers were clicking offensively for most of the game, shooting over 49% from the floor. Defense was the issue.
- The Sixers allowed the Lakers to shoot over 48% from the floor, and gave up 10 three-pointers in the first half alone. They also allowed L.A. to take 24 shots from the free throw line.
- Doug Collins just had no answer for Kobe Bryant. Bryant went off for 34 points, and also handed out six assists. He remains one of the league’s most entertaining players; some of the shots he made tonight were just unbelievable.
- The Sixers spent most of the game trying to find an answer for Bryant, and when they put most of their attention on the superstar, Kobe’s supporting cast made the defense pay. Metta World Peace had one of his strongest games in years, posting a 19-point, 16-rebound double-double. Chris Duhon scored 14, including four threes. Even former 76er Jodie Meeks got into the act, scoring 12 off of the bench.
- Nick Young led the Sixers in scoring, going off for a season-high 30 points. Young drilled six three-pointers, and connected on 12-23 shots tonight. This is Nick Young at his best; when he’s hot he can be an electrifying scorer.
- With Holiday out, Evan Turner spent most of the night handling the point guard duties again. Turner scored 16, and added four rebounds and six assists.
- Jason Richardson continues to struggle. The veteran scored just nine points in 28 minutes. If the Sixers weren’t so desperately shorthanded right now, I would consider sitting him down for a game or two.
- Kwame Brown gave the Sixers some quality defensive minutes tonight, particularly in the first half. For awhile, Brown held his own against Dwight Howard, and frustrated the best center in the league. Brown is limited in what he can do for this team, but he plays his role well.
- Dorell Wright scored just six points tonight, but also added seven rebounds and nine assists.
Bottom Line
The Sixers were in a really tough spot tonight, and although I didn’t expect them to win this game, I thought they played hard.
However, moral victories will only take a team so far. The Sixers need to find a way to win without Jrue Holiday; the team can’t afford for this losing streak to go on for much longer. Up next is a date with the Dallas Mavericks, a team that has been decimated by injuries themselves.
Tags: 76ers Dwight Howard Evan Turner Kobe Bryant Kwame Brown Los Angeles Lakers Metta World Peace Nick Young
The real Bottom Line is that this 2012 76er Squad is soft along the Front Line as well as lacking solid Perimter Defense
No one can stop the Ball on this Club, a .500 Club is about the best to expect and even making the Playoffs as a 7 or 8 Seed will be a struggle where some of their competition are playing better ba and have their rotations figured out
This Sixer Team has no Identity and no inside scoring presence at all
And strictly is jump-shooting Geam which we all know is strictly incomsistent from week to week , game to game and even quarter to quarter
I am disappointed with their start as Season us now 1/4 of the way thru and the Team Collectively is regressing and poor in help defense, stopping ball penetration, rebounding and shot selection
I am not so sure that Doug Collins is getting thru to about 1/2 this Roster and could be in trouble if this Team continues to struggle by All-Star Break
Bynum ain’t happening so what’s the plan and rotation going to be moving forward
Until we get a 4 & a 5, that is NBA worthy, that has some balls, to go to the glass/ boards, we will continue to struggle mightily! WHY isn’t Collins giving the kid Moultrie some minutes. WTF does he have to lose at this point?!? Bynum probably ain’t coming back anytime soon, Allen & Hawes are soft & blow! Thad IS NOT a 4 either! He’s too small, in height, weight & strength. Another year, same Ole $#!T! With, or with Bynum, right now, we ain’t going anywhere. Man, I was SO pumped, when we traded for him, but I’ve been deflated, & have organization angst & fatigue, with every one of our teams! The Birds & Phils, both need to be nuked! The 76er’s are mired in a never ending state of mediocrity, & the Flyers look like they won’t have a season! WTF!!!!!
I think Moultrie is having trouble with floor spacing on the defensive end but the only way he can correct those mistakes is to get more time. Doug also likes to use his big men to set high post screens and roll away from the basket. why? I don’t know but I know no young kid coming into the NBA has ever played like that.
The Sixers have now fallen out of the top 8 seeds for the playoffs.
I thought they played well Sunday, attacking the rim, sharing the ball, shot well outside but the Lakers were lights out with their shooting. Minnesota came into philly and shot lights out too.
Young, Wright and Wilkens had a couple nice drunks —
But Jon Hart says that Doug Collins “can play mind games with the best of them”, what a fool this JH is, really… like playing mind games is going to help this young and fractured 76er Team