When the Sixers do not follow their plan, things have a tendency of being miserable in all phases of the game. When they do follow the plan, a few of the games last week demonstrated that the team actually does have a fighting chance to win against the right opponents.
After last week’s embarrassing loss to the Milwaukee Bucks—a night in which the team turned the ball over 21 times and recorded only 14 assists, they had a players-only meeting. What came from the meeting was an acknowledgement that they had fallen into some poor tendencies and they need to get more cohesive as a group on both sides of the ball.
What followed was two games of more focused, committed ball. After recording 3 turnovers for every 2 assists, they had a much better ratio over their back-to-back stretch of victories. Against the Nets and Pacers, they had a combined 43 assists and just 31 turnovers. What also followed were two thrilling victories. Obviously, they converted for points instead of slipping up and giving the ball away in the games’ most crucial of moments.
On Tuesday night against the Hawks, they regressed. There were a few stretches of ugly, sloppy ball (the Hawks not exempt) and the team struggled to give themselves a chance to beat the Eastern Conference’s top team, despite them resting three starters. For the night, the team essentially gave the ball away for each assist, tallying 20 assists and 19 turnovers.
Brett Brown has embraced the culture that not he as head coach is building, but the culture that his players have acted upon building and nurturing. Last week’s meeting was just a means to reiterate the message. Brown spoke to NBA.com about the benefits of his team going through stretches like these, and more importantly, learning from them. Games like each of the last four clearly illustrate what leads to positive results and what does not.
“Having these guys learn how to win, and close out a game, and deal with situations, and execute things that drawn up on the side, there are so many benefits that come even with the situation that we’re in with learning how to win,” Brown said. “I don’t want this program to be run from the top down. I don’t want them to have to look at me all the time [for guidance]. It has to be from them up. This is their team, it’s their culture, and it’s their set of behaviors.”
Tonight, they get a chance to put forth a focused effort on cutting down the turnovers against Toronto. Not turning the ball so much is not a suggestion against the Raptors—it is a near-must. The high-flying Raptors lead the East in scoring, so giving them more opportunities to do so would not be wise.
Game Notes:
- The Raptors score on average nearly 108 points per game, third behind only the sharp-shooting Warriors and loaded Dallas Mavericks in the entire NBA.
- Toronto has struggled of late, losing five of their last six. They are allowing 113 points per game over the last five.
- The Raptors have also turned the ball over at least 15 times in three of the last five games.
- Philadelphia hasn’t beaten the Raptors in each of the last five contests.
Injuries:
DeMar Derozan, who has missed his last 21 games, is a game-time decision with a groin injury. Tony Wroten re-injured his right knee, which has given him problems all season, and will miss the game with a knee strain. As usualy, Joel Embiid (foot) and Jason Richardson (knee/foot) will miss the game.
Projected Lineups:
Philadelphia:
PG- Michael Carter-Williams
SG- K.J. McDaniels
SF- Robert Covington
PF- Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
C- Nerlens Noel
Toronto:
PG- Kyle Lowry
SG- Terrance Ross
SF- James Johnson
PF- Amir Johnson
C- Jonas Valaniciunas
Prediction: Toronto snaps out of its skid and wins this one with an early surge then protect the lead, 110-85.
