That’s four wins in a row now for the Sixers as they take sole possession of the top seed in the Eastern Conference over the Brooklyn Nets.
It wasn’t pretty; in fact, it was far more difficult than it should have been, but the Sixers pulled out a win against the Spurs. There were points in this game where the Sixers looked dominant and led by as many as 17 points. Regardless, the Sixers (much like the Phillies) fell asleep at the wheel, and it almost cost them a crucial game.
The Spurs came into tonight’s game missing DeMar DeRozan, Dejounte Murray, Derrik White, Jakob Poeltl, And Trey Lyles, and yet they challenged the Sixers until the bitter end. It just goes to show how much basketball is about effort. It’s the reason the Miami Heat made the NBA Finals last season; they weren’t the most talented team, but they wanted it more than anyone else.
In the end, the Sixers showed the proper fight, especially Ben Simmons, but they needlessly let this game go to overtime when they’re in the first game of a back-to-back. That’s a foolish mistake when your team is this close to the playoffs.
Philly will need more from Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Tobias Harris in future games. Their lack of effort (Embiid) or lack of contribution (Harris) led to this game reaching OT.
More focus will be needed in the future from the Sixers, but they don’t have much time to dwell as they are back at it Monday night against the Chicago Bulls. Zach LaVine is doubtful, and Nikola Vucevic is questionable, but if tonight’s game is any indication, no game is a “gimme” even if the opponent’s stars are missing.
Tip-off is at 9:00 PM EST. You can watch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia or, as always, listen live at 97.5 FM The Fanatic.
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