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Tag: Highscoring

  • 3 observations after Sixers fall just short in high-scoring battle vs. Nuggets – NBC Sports Philadelphia


    The Sixers fell a hair shy of pulling off a fifth consecutive win Friday night.

    They lost a high-scoring battle to the Nuggets, dropping a 137-134 game at Wells Fargo Center.

    The Sixers are now 19-28 overall. Denver is 29-19.

    Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with a 42-point, nine-assist performance.

    Guerschon Yabusele scored an NBA career-high 28 points on 12-for-17 shooting and Kelly Oubre Jr. put up 27 points.

    Nikola Jokic posted 28 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds. Jamal Murray recorded 31 points and 11 assists.

    The Sixers still had six players out, including Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) and Paul George (left pinkie finger extensor tendor injury).

    Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said pregame that George is “day-to-day.” He said the Sixers plan for Embiid to practice Saturday and expect to have a better sense of his status after that. 

    The Sixers will play the Celtics on Sunday night in Philadelphia. Here are observations on their defeat to the Nuggets:

    Jokic and Maxey feature in 1st quarter

    Maxey committed three turnovers Friday in under two minutes. Jokic fed Aaron Gordon for a dunk and Nurse called timeout with his team trailing 14-6. 

    The Sixers faced the same size-related challenges present in their blowout loss last Tuesday to Denver. The Nuggets scored the night’s first 12 points in the paint. 

    As he routinely does, Yabusele sparked a Sixers run. He hit a wing three-pointer, stole the ball from Russell Westbrook and steamed forward for a coast-to-coast slam. The Sixers soon had their first lead. 

    Maxey shrugged off his shaky start and found his groove as an isolation scorer late in a 13-point, four-assist first quarter. He passed Kyle Korver for third place on the Sixers’ all-time made three-pointers list.

    On the other end, Jokic appeared well on his way to a triple-double with nine points, six rebounds and six assists in the opening period. He casually diced up the Sixers’ defense and caused frequent problems with his transition ventures after defensive rebounds. 

    Script flips with second-unit scoring

    After the Sixers amassed 40-15 bench scoring edge in their win Wednesday over the Kings, the second-unit story was quite different Friday night. 

    Christian Braun and Julian Strawther combined to make five three-point shots in the first half. Denver scored the game’s first 19 bench points.

    The Sixers still managed to stay close in an offense-centric first half. Oubre led a bench-heavy lineup well. He drove and finished forcefully, drew free throws and barely sat. He wound up logging 22 minutes and 29 seconds before halftime. 

    Every Sixers starter made at least one three-pointer in the first half. Yabusele went 4 for 5 from long distance and Justin Edwards shot 3 for 4. 

    The points flowed freely on both sides. Unless they turned the ball over, the Nuggets appeared destined to create a high-quality shot. Denver held a 73-69 lead at intermission and shot an incredible 66.7 percent from the floor over the first two quarters. 

    Back-and-forth action late

    Maxey capitalized on Denver’s lax transition defense in the third quarter, converting a layup and then a pull-up three just 18 seconds later.

    Yabusele kept on scoring, too. Less than a minute after setting his new career high, Yabusele slammed in a big-time alley-oop dunk off an Edwards lob. On top of the Frenchman’s scoring variety, it was impressive to see Yabusele go at Jokic and grab his chances to either shoot comfortable jumpers or drive past the three-time MVP. 

    Again, neither defense had much success in the third quarter. A buzzer-beating Ricky Council IV three cut the Nuggets’ advantage to 103-100 going into the fourth period. Council made another corner triple early in the fourth quarter, then swiped a steal from Westbrook and dished to Oubre for a game-tying layup.

    Adem Bona played a couple of excellent minutes after a Denver timeout — a dunk, a block, an offensive rebound and ample hustle. Ultimately, the Sixers were down 112-109 when Maxey checked back in with 8:25 left in the fourth quarter.

    The Sixers substantially elevated their defensive level for a stretch in the fourth. Kyle Lowry did good work on several occasions against Gordon in the post. Maxey tightly contested jumpers that Murray and Braun air balled.

    In the shotmaking department, the Sixers continued to receive plenty of contributions. Eric Gordon drilled back-to-back deep threes. Maxey sliced through the Nuggets’ defense for driving layups, Oubre nailed a corner three and the Sixers took a 128-125 lead.

    Jokic and Maxey each starred in an entertaining, back-and-forth final few minutes. Jokic sunk multiple shots that the Nuggets needed, including a go-ahead three with 39.8 seconds remaining. His runner with 12.7 seconds to go gave Denver a 135-132 edge.

    Out of the ensuing timeout, Oubre made a put-back layup off a Yabusele miss inside. The Sixers took up considerable time in the process, though.

    After two Murray foul shots, Yabusele had to resort to a half-court heave before the final buzzer. It came up short and the Sixers’ 134 points were insufficient for a fifth straight win.


    1. Embiid’s dominance on full display: Despite the loss, Joel Embiid once again showed why he is one of the most dominant big men in the league. He put up an impressive stat line of 34 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, showcasing his versatility and skill on both ends of the court.
    2. Lack of defensive intensity: The Sixers struggled to contain the Nuggets’ high-powered offense, allowing them to shoot over 50% from the field and 40% from three-point range. With key players like Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle out due to injury, the team’s defensive deficiencies were exposed, and they will need to address this moving forward.
    3. Offensive firepower not enough: Despite scoring 120 points, the Sixers couldn’t keep pace with the Nuggets’ explosive offense. Tobias Harris had a strong showing with 21 points, but the team as a whole lacked consistency and struggled to find their rhythm at key moments in the game. Moving forward, they will need to find ways to improve their offensive efficiency and execution in crunch time situations.

    Tags:

    1. Sixers vs Nuggets recap
    2. NBA game analysis
    3. Philadelphia Sixers update
    4. Denver Nuggets highlights
    5. NBA scoring battle breakdown
    6. Sixers vs Nuggets game review
    7. NBA game results
    8. Philadelphia sports news
    9. Sixers vs Nuggets post-game analysis
    10. NBA matchup insights

    #observations #Sixers #fall #short #highscoring #battle #Nuggets #NBC #Sports #Philadelphia

  • NBA Power Rankings: High-scoring Knicks enter top five, Warriors make huge jump, 76ers gaining momentum



    1


    Thunder
    Recently OKC has struggled to generate offense outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — and he’s nearly been able to win games by himself with his increasingly absurd point totals — but there’s certainly no cause for panic. They’re still first in defense, sixth in offense and first in net rating by a country mile. — 37-9
    2


    Cavaliers
    The fact that the Cavs lost three games in a row recently and they still only have NINE losses all season shows just how magical this run has been for them. Still, the defense has been a real cause for concern, as they’re now 26th in the league in January with a 9-5 record during the month. — 39-9
    3


    Rockets
    The Rockets have now picked up nine combined wins against the Cavs, Thunder, Celtics, Grizzlies and Nuggets — how’s that for big-game pedigree? Amen Thompson is the talk of the league with his performance since moving into the starting lineup in place of the injured Jabari Smith Jr. in early January. Thompson is averaging 18.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.2 blocks as the Rockets have gone 9-2 in that stretch. — 32-15
    4


    Celtics
    The roller coaster season continues for the Celtics, who can still — at times — look like the hands-down favorite to win the title. But at other times they put up 96 points in a blowout loss to the Lakers *shrug emoji*. Kristaps Porzingis is in the midst of a scorching-hot stretch, averaging 20.5 points and eight rebounds over his last 12 games on absurd 51/51/87 shooting splits. — 34-15
    5


    Knicks
    The Knicks scored 99 points in a win over the Nets last week and then were like, screw that. All they did was put up 408 points over their next three games — all wins — to set a franchise record for a three-game span. They’ve now won five in a row, and the last three have come against the then-red-hot Kings, the Grizzlies and the Nuggets — just the type of quality wins they’ve been lacking even in such a tremendous season. 1 32-16
    6


    Grizzlies
    The Memphis defense hasn’t exactly been locking up lately, allowing 120, 126 and 143 points in three of their last four games. Fortunately their offense is so good that they still won two of those, which makes six of seven overall. Jaren Jackson Jr. has been the engine, averaging 23 points on 50/39/82 splits during that stretch. 1 32-16
    7


    Nuggets
    Denver has allowed 126 points per 100 possessions during its three-game losing streak, and it’s nearly impossible to win on the road with defense that porous. After a historic 35-22-17 line in a win over the Kings, Nikola Jokic has been somewhat human — not good enough if the Nuggets defense is going to be this bad. — 30-19
    8


    Clippers
    Oh hey, check out Kawhi Leonard’s line from Wednesday’s win over the Spurs: 27 points, seven assists and six rebounds on 11-of-19 shooting in 28 minutes. Uh oh. Leonard, James Harden, Norm Powell and Ivica Zubac all scored over 20 points in the win, a blueprint for how effective this offense can be moving forward. 1 28-20
    9


    Bucks
    Damian Lillard has been on a tear his last seven games, averaging 28 points, six rebounds and seven assists during that span, including back-to-back triple-doubles — nearly doubling his career total — against the Heat and Clippers. Milwaukee has won seven if its last 10 games, but just can’t make up any ground on the streaking Knicks. 1 26-20
    10


    Pacers
    Did you know that the Pacers’ starting lineup of Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner has the second-best net rating of any five-man unit in the NBA with at least 200 minutes under its belt? Yep, that’s better than the Thunder, Rockets, Nuggets and Knicks. Indiana has won 11 of 14 games and moved into a virtual tie with the Bucks for the No. 4 seed in the East. 1 27-20
    11


    Lakers
    The momentum of the Lakers’ four-game win streak (including a home thumping of the rival Celtics) came to a screeching halt on Tuesday, when they not only lost to the injury-ravaged 76ers, but also saw Anthony Davis go down with an injured abdominal muscle which will keep him out at least a week. Jaxson Hayes and Christian Koloko have filled in at center when Davis has been out, but JJ Redick has also seen success with small-ball lineups. 1 27-19
    12


    Mavericks
    Dallas has put together a nice stretch as it awaits the eventual return of Luka Doncic, winning three of four games, including one in OKC. P.J. Washington has been a kind of bellwether for the Mavs, as he’s shooting 45% from 3-point range in wins, compared to just 25% in losses. 1 26-23
    13


    Timberwolves
    Four straight wins for the Wolves, who have been getting it done on both ends of the floor. Jaden McDaniels is one of the key components, as he’s starting to turn around his disappointing season with averages of 14 points, seven rebounds and two steals on 55/41/82 splits over his last 10 games. 1 27-21
    14


    Kings
    Well you can’t rattle off that many wins without expecting to eventually hit a few bumps in the road. In the Kings’ case, those bumps have literally happened ON the road, as they’ve fallen to the Nuggets, Knicks and 76ers during their current trip. The defense, which had been the key to their recent success, has fallen off of late. 2 24-23
    15


    Warriors
    The Warriors are back above .500 after their biggest win of the season on Wednesday against the league-best Thunder — their third victory in the last four games. Steve Kerr has been playing every card he has, even starting rookie stretch-big Quinten Post against OKC, but the good news is they’re starting to get healthy. However, it still seems like Golden State has to do something, even if it’s a fringe move, in advance of next week’s deadline. 5 24-24
    16


    Suns
    The Suns have won seven of their last 10 games as Devin Booker has caught fire, averaging 29 points on 49/38/91 splits during that stretch. Nick Richards has fit right in as the team’s new starting center, putting up 11 points and 10 rebounds per night. Now, will Jimmy Butler be their next acquisition? And if so, how much does that raise their ceiling? 1 25-22
    17


    Magic
    The return of Paolo Banchero hasn’t exactly been the boon Magic fans were hoping for, as they’ve gone 2-7 since he came back from an oblique injury. The offense has been putrid with him on the floor during that stretch, averaging a meager 99 points per 100 possessions. 2 24-26
    18


    Heat
    Miami appears to be out of the Jimmy Butler business — at least for the foreseeable future — and now the question is whether any offer will be enticing enough for Pat Riley and Co. to pull the trigger. In the meantime the Heat are staying right on the fringe of the coveted No. 6 seed, which would avoid the Play-In round. — 23-23
    19


    Pistons
    The Pistons had a rough end to their road trip with three straight losses, but overall they’re still in good shape in terms of their postseason positioning. Of all Detroit’s accomplishments this season, going from 25th to 16th in defense has to be one of the most impressive. 3 24-24
    20


    Hawks
    Man, what a bummer. Jalen Johnson is one of the most exciting players in the league, and now that he’s out for the rest of the season, the Hawks’ “puncher’s chance” status has all but evaporated. Johnson is one of just five players this season averaging at least 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists per game. The others are Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Alperen Sengun. 1 22-27
    21


    Spurs
    Wemby showed just how special he is in the Paris games, but unfortunately the Spurs have continued to drop farther out of Play-In contention. San Antonio has now lost eight of its last 10, allowing a league-worst 121 points per 100 possessions during that stretch. — 21-24
    22


    Bulls
    Just a classic Bulls week, getting blown out by the struggling Warriors and 76ers before somehow beating the Nuggets. Chicago is at risk of losing its No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference as the streaking 76ers are hot on their tail. This is going to be a very interesting trade deadline. — 21-28
    23


    76ers
    Here … come … the … Sixers? Four straight wins — all without Joel Embiid and two and a half without Paul George — have provided a brief glimmer of hope that this season might not end up as a total wash. Tyrese Maxey has taken matters into his own hands offensively, averaging 33 points and 6.5 assists during the winning streak on 53% shooting. Philadelphia is now one game behind the Bulls in the loss column for the final East Play-In spot, and who would have thought that would be a positive development at this stage in the season? — 19-28
    24


    Trail Blazers
    Five wins in six games for the Blazers, who have come back from the dead to make a push toward the 20-win mark. Defense has been the key, as they’ve allowed just 106 points per 100 possessions during that stretch. Deandre Ayton has been a monster of late, averaging 19 points and 14 rebounds in his last three games. — 19-29
    25


    Raptors
    Would you look at that? Five straight wins for the Raptors, who have absolutely locked up defensively to the tune of 97 points per 100 possessions. No, the competition hasn’t been great, but these certainly weren’t games that Toronto was winning earlier this season. 3 15-33
    26


    Nets
    The Nets finally found a team they could beat, but unfortunately it was a bad win for their tanking efforts as they distanced themselves further from the Hornets and Pelicans. Brooklyn is 3-12 in its last 15 games with a minus-12 net rating — only the Wizards have been worse. 1 15-33
    27


    Hornets
    Whenever it seems the Hornets are starting to build a little momentum, LaMelo Ball gets hurt. Charlotte is 1-12 this season without him, so, yeah, the outlook is bleak until he can come back. — 12-34
    28


    Pelicans
    New Orleans has most of its players back — outside of Brandon Ingram who has essentially been replaced by Trey Murphy — and yet it’s still lost four straight after a brief winning stretch. The good news is Zion Williamson looks healthy and dynamic, averaging nearly 30 points over his last three games on 63% field goals. 2 12-37
    29


    Jazz
    Lauri Markkanen’s weird season continues, as he’s gone 3 for 20 from 3-point range over his last two games. Rookie Isaiah Collier stayed on his upward trajectory, however, averaging 11 points, eight assists and four rebounds in the previous three games on 52% shooting. — 11-36
    30


    Wizards
    The league’s first 40-loss team has shown no signs of improvement, dropping six straight games by double-digits, and 15 straight overall. The good news is that Jordan Poole thinks he’s “definitely” an All-Star … we won’t hold our breath on that one. — 6-41





    The NBA season is in full swing and teams are starting to separate themselves in the standings. In this week’s power rankings, the New York Knicks have surged into the top five thanks to their high-scoring offense. The Golden State Warriors have also made a huge jump up the rankings, while the Philadelphia 76ers are gaining momentum with some key wins.

    1. Brooklyn Nets
    The Brooklyn Nets remain at the top of the power rankings with their star-studded lineup and high-powered offense. Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving have been unstoppable on the court, leading the Nets to a league-best record.

    2. Los Angeles Lakers
    The defending champions are still a force to be reckoned with, despite some recent injuries to key players. LeBron James and Anthony Davis continue to lead the way for the Lakers, who are looking to defend their title this season.

    3. Milwaukee Bucks
    Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are once again among the top teams in the league. The Bucks have been dominant on both ends of the court and are a serious contender in the Eastern Conference.

    4. New York Knicks
    The New York Knicks have been a pleasant surprise this season, led by Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. The Knicks have been lighting up the scoreboard with their high-scoring offense and have quickly climbed the rankings.

    5. Golden State Warriors
    The Golden State Warriors have made a huge jump in the power rankings thanks to the return of Stephen Curry and the addition of Kelly Oubre Jr. The Warriors are back to their winning ways and are a team to watch as the season progresses.

    6. Philadelphia 76ers
    The Philadelphia 76ers are gaining momentum behind the play of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. The Sixers have been playing some of their best basketball of the season and are looking like a serious threat in the East.

    As the season continues, it will be interesting to see how these teams continue to perform and if any other teams can make a push up the power rankings. Stay tuned for more updates on the NBA season.

    Tags:

    NBA Power Rankings, Knicks, Warriors, 76ers, high-scoring, top five, huge jump, momentum, basketball, sports, rankings, NBA teams, scoring leaders, game analysis, player performance

    #NBA #Power #Rankings #Highscoring #Knicks #enter #top #Warriors #huge #jump #76ers #gaining #momentum

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