NBA Basketball: Philadelphia Sixers Through One Week

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The Sixers sit at .500 after a week of basketball, with a 2-2 record. They have played four games, and there are many things to analyze. Here is an in-depth look at the four games so far.

Tuesday, October 16- Boston Celtics- L

The Sixers suffered a big loss on opening night, that was never in their grasp. Jayson Tatum made the Sixers pay, and Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid were not enough to take down their Eastern Conference rival. The Celtics won 105-87 in a blowout. Kyrie Irving struggled early, but the depth of the Boston Celtics helped dominate the Sixers on TNT. The Sixers are going to be seeing a lot of the Celtics this year, so they are going to need more than just three players to show up if they want to beat them. Many are calling this a rivalry that is becoming renewed, but Joel Embiid does not want to hear it at all.

Thursday, October 18- Chicago Bulls- W

They followed up their opening night loss with a big win two nights later. The Sixers showed out in their home opener against the Bulls by winning, 127-108. Big games were turned in by Simmons and Embiid and it was the deciding factor in this one. Simmons had his first triple-double of the year, but it was Markelle Fultz that won the home crowd. He hit simple jump shots and the crowd erupted due to his progress from a year ago. Fultz ended with 12 points on 15 shots.

.@BenSimmons25 notches first triple-double of the season with 13 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/ezbQqGyqI7

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 19, 2018

Saturday, October 20- Orlando Magic- W

The Sixers stayed at home and hosted the Orlando Magic in a close game. With Ben Simmons leaving the game early, other players stepped up to get the win. JJ Redick and Joel Embiid were the deciding factors in this one as they won 116-115. JJ Redick hit a three-pointer with under 20 seconds left to get them the win. He ended with 31 and Embiid had 32.

Tuesday, October 23- Detroit Pistons- L

Three days later, the Sixers were back on the road and played the Pistons, this time losing in overtime. With Simmons out for the second game in a row, the Sixers had to find a new way to win. They were tied at 120 after four quarters and had to go into overtime. Redick had 30 as his hot season continued. Embiid’s great season also continued as he ended with 33. The real dominant performance came from Blake Griffin, as he ended with 50 and scored the winning points as he was fouled by Robert Covington with under two seconds remaining in overtime.

Final Stats ⤵️

Embiid 33 PTS / 11 REB / 7 AST / 3 BLK
Redick 30 PTS / 6 REB / 6 AST
Covington 16 PTS / 8 REB / 2 AST
Saric 14 PTS / 8 REB / 5 AST
Fultz 13 PTS / 6 REB
McConnell 10 PTS / 3 REB / 8 AST

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 24, 2018

With that win, the Pistons stayed undefeated on the season, with a 3-0 record.

After a week, the record stays at .500, but the Sixers look hopeful. Almost winning against the Pistons without their star guard says something. Fultz has been shooting the ball often and he will only get better as the season progresses. Redick, Embiid, and Simmons seem to be the strongest pieces so far, but Landry Shamet has shown flashes as an early rookie, as well as the expectation that Robert Covington and Dario Saric will pick up steam in the coming weeks. Although it is early, the Sixers look just fine, despite their 2-2 record.