The Sixers came out on Friday night and played a relatively complete game for the first time in weeks securing their third victory of the season along the way. They defended well, holding the Bucks without a three pointer the entire night, something the Sixers hadn't done to an opponent since 2007. They played well in transition, got a huge boost from their bench, and made free throws. All that translated into a relatively smooth 90-79 win over the Bucks.
"I don't even know what to say other than it felt so good to win," coach Collins said following the victory.
Prior to the game, we talked about the team thinking too much. Tonight, Lou Williams said he took a bit of pregame advice from assistant coach Aaron McKie regarding just that. To paraphrase: "You're a shooter. Stop thinking so much and just shoot," McKie told Lou.
It worked, as Lou provided one of the key sparks off the bench, finishing the night with 19 points.
"Our bench was fabulous. Was great to see Lou get going. Thad was terrific. We always give an 'ace of spades award' every game for what is the key person or player, whoever embodies competition on that night, and tonight it went to our bench. They were fabulous." Doug Collins said after his bench accounted for more than half of his teams points tonight.Without Andre Iguodala in the lineup, the Sixers have lost a bit of speed, hurting their transition game. But Thaddeus Young filled that role magnificently tonight, getting up and down the floor, providing a huge spark off the bench. Thad had one of his best games of the season, shooting 8-13 while leading the team with 23 points, 6 boards and 3 dimes to go along with it.
It was an instance of this team getting contributions from all over when given the chance.
Jrue Holiday had a solid night as well, while not exactly lighting up the stat sheet (10-6-5). He kept the typically electric Brandon Jennings in check, limiting the Bucks' guard to 3 of 13 shooting for only 12 points. Coach Collins also credited Jodie Meeks for doing a nice job defensively on both the speedy Jennings and Boykins.
Elton Brand has been one of the best performers for the Sixers all season, but found himself in foul trouble much of the night and only finished with 4 points. Doesn't really matter when the bench steps up like they did.
"It's agreat sign. Total team effort," Brand said. "That is what we needed. You know we really wanted to get Lou off to a great start and playing well. He really came out well and hit shots for us. Thaddeus Young off the bench was incredible, and we hit the shots when we needed and made the stops when we needed."
Do that on a nightly basis and you'll get a few more of these things called wins.
The Sixers played one of their more complete games of the season, but Collins noted they didn't play a perfect one, pointing out minor mistakes by Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner towards the end of periods. "The one thing about it is we were still sloppy closing the game, and that is the teacher ending," Collins said.
But they found a way to win, and Collins will help them learn from their mistakes, and eventually they may just find some momentum.
"Hopefully this will start a streak for us. You know, you win one and you hope that it snowballs," LouWill said.
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