Liberty Ballers - All PostsHonestly have no idea what we’re arguing about anymore.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50717/lb-fav.png2024-03-18T23:16:36-04:00http://www.libertyballers.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T23:16:36-04:002024-03-18T23:16:36-04:00Sixers Bell Ringer: Sixers hang on to beat the Heat
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<p>The Philadelphia 76ers nearly blew it in the fourth, but held on to defeat the Miami Heat 98-91 on Monday night. </p> <p id="fjXhQd"><strong>Bell Ringer Season Totals:</strong></p>
<p id="vlRbUe">Joel Embiid - 19</p>
<p id="kIDoyH">Tyrese Maxey - 13</p>
<p id="kQcZOy">Kelly Oubre Jr. - 8</p>
<p id="Qd2izs">Tobias Harris - 7</p>
<p id="zUMLHd">Paul Reed - 4</p>
<p id="8YwIK6">De’Anthony Melton - 3</p>
<p id="6krdG9">Jaden Springer - 3</p>
<p id="rSjej5">Ricky Council IV - 2</p>
<p id="2sGLXi">Buddy Hield - 2</p>
<p id="oOQXCZ">Patrick Beverley - 1</p>
<p id="ZNIuYv">Danuel House Jr. - 1</p>
<p id="xhHuGh">Furkan Korkmaz - 1</p>
<p id="7KVowB">Terquavion Smith - 1</p>
<p id="8vFdop"></p>
<p id="KX2wBS">Well, they made it interesting again, but the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Philadelphia 76ers</a> ultimately held on for dear life to defeat the Miami Heat 98-91 on Monday night. </p>
<p id="cBTX8o">Both teams were a bit shorthanded for this one. The Sixers remained without Tobias Harris (in addition to Joel Embiid, De’Anthony Melton and Robert Covington). The Heat, meanwhile, were without Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro. </p>
<p id="Ft19sD">The Sixers got cooking early courtesy of Tyrese Maxey, who put up 17 points in the first frame leading Philadelphia to a 31-23 lead going into the second. Unfortunately, when Maxey sat down to take a breather, the Sixers’ advantage went with him. In what was ultimately a pretty abysmal second period offensively for Philadelphia, a little burst in the last two minutes (and a last second corner three from Kelly Oubre Jr.) helped the Sixers stay on top 51-49 going into the locker room for halftime. Maxey and Oubre combined for 32 of Philly’s first-half points. </p>
<p id="JOLa1k">The first five minutes of the third was maybe what the best case scenario is for the Sixers in their current state. They looked like a real, complete NBA team! Maxey hitting buckets, Oubre creating assists kicking out of drives, Mo Bamba (yes, Mo Bamba!) making things happen in what may have been his best minutes as a Sixer so far — all culminating in a 15-0 Sixers run giving Philly a double-digit lead. They led the Heat by 14 going into the final frame.</p>
<p id="IFoD8M">Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Sixers up big to start the fourth, Maxey takes the bench to get some rest... and it all collapses. Halfway through the final period, we suddenly had ourselves a tie game after the Heat ran rampant, cashing in on numerous Sixers’ turnovers and errors in a 20-6 run. The Heat battled the rest of the way, but the Sixers were able to hold on just long enough to take down Miami 98-91 on Monday night. </p>
<p id="SXesjs">The Sixers next hit the road for the west coast and... oh god, here come the 10 p.m. ET starts. First up is a trip to the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com">Phoenix Suns</a> on Wednesday night.</p>
<p id="Jujou0">Until then, let’s get to the Bell Ringer. </p>
<p id="rOvW2w"><strong>Tyrese Maxey: 30 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 1 block</strong></p>
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<p id="hDOGGj">Remember when this kid would get off to slow starts when it came to scoring? Not so much anymore. Maxey got off to a flaming hot start Monday with 17 points in the first period, notching his fifth consecutive game with double-digit points in the first frame. He did so on 6-for-9 field goal shooting, 2-for-3 from long range, and 3-for-3 from the charity stripe. By halftime, he had 18 points, four rebounds and five assists, including this cross-court fastball to Kyle Lowry. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">getting silly in South Philly. <a href="https://t.co/GADBRTGyeh">pic.twitter.com/GADBRTGyeh</a></p>— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) <a href="https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1769886324733964347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a>
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<p id="TKLBYd">It might seem redundant to talk about what Maxey did well on Monday because it’s nothing new for him, he’s just been doing what he does best at an exceptional level these past few games especially. He isn’t forcing shots that aren’t there, he’s just vastly improved in creating space between him and an opponents’ defense, whether it be through using his speed to get to the rim or using some fancy footwork to hit a step-back triple, and everything in between. </p>
<p id="jKaRlO">And that’s all without even mentioning how much more of an asset he’s been as of late to the Sixers’ defense. </p>
<p id="7Uaeoz">For the first time in his career, he notches three consecutive games with 30+ points. He finished with 30 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists, one steal and one block.</p>
<p id="XYeDFv"><strong>Kelly Oubre Jr.: 22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 blocks</strong></p>
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<p id="gHsuOj">Oubre’s energy and athleticism continue to be a huge boost for the Sixers, especially the offense. His constant movement and cuts off the ball provide a reliable lifeline to Maxey to pass to. That also means Oubre is given more opportunities to cash in from within the paint, often right at the rim, rather than being forced into settling for questionable midrange jumpers. That strategy helped him collect 22 points on 10-for-19 field goal shooting. Look at that beautiful shot plot!</p>
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<p id="6Seh4Y">In addition to his bursts of scoring, Oubre has started doing something else to keep the Sixers’ offense going: passing! It’s been a slowly growing trend with Oubre. He aggressively drives in the way we all know is his bread and butter, but, recently, he’s been more willing to kick out of those drives if he runs into trouble and draws in the opponents’ defense. He had three assists on Monday. It might not seem like much, but when you compare it to the zero or one assists per game he had often to start the season, it’s a great development.</p>
<p id="Ig5mnZ">Oubre had a handful of highlights in this one from his emphatic slams to some triples and everything in between, but his biggest sequence may have come in the fourth when he finished at the rim through Bam Adebayo and ran down for a big block on Jaime Jaquez down the other end as the Sixers’ were battling to hold on to a narrow lead towards the end of the game. He blocked Jaquez again with just 37 seconds left. (Oh, did I mention he had FIVE blocks tonight?)</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">the Kelly highlight reel: <a href="https://t.co/adEoEwgvNm">pic.twitter.com/adEoEwgvNm</a></p>— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) <a href="https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1769880045319840169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a>
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<p id="ta63WS"><strong>Kyle Lowry: 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block</strong></p>
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<cite>Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="PmCiHo">Man it’s been nice to have this guy on the Sixers, and tonight was a great example of what he brings to the table, even at this point in his career. He might not necessarily top the stat sheets anymore, but he is still huge in the biggest moments. Down the stretch, with the Sixers fighting to hold on to a narrow lead over the Heat, Lowry hit a huge three and a reverse layup in the final minutes to help carry the Sixers over the finish line. </p>
<p id="yhtuiX">Lowry had been decent throughout the rest of the contest as well, as both a constant nuisance for the Heat on defense and being active off the ball on offense to find space, particularly beyond the perimeter where he shot 3-for-5 from on Monday.</p>
<p id="ywkCgC">He finished the game with 16 points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals and a block. </p>
<p id="WYjR9d">Bonus points for launching himself over the scorers’ table going after a loose ball. Some might say “hey, it’s just a regular season game in March, protect yourself instead” and I agree somewhat... but you have to love the effort and toughness. North Philly’s finest. </p>
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https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/3/18/24105371/sixers-bell-ringer-philadelphia-miami-heat-tyrese-maxey-kelly-oubre-jr-kyle-lowryErin Grugan2024-03-18T22:02:24-04:002024-03-18T22:02:24-04:00Sixers survive late Heat comeback attempt for second straight win
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<figcaption>Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Sixers built a lead as large as 17, but had to hang on for dear life to close out the Heat and win their second straight game Monday night.</p> <p id="Q8BOrt">And exhale. </p>
<p id="ZE6w6p">Philadelphia held on to beat the Miami Heat Monday night 98-91. </p>
<p id="x4COHh">Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 30 points, shooting 11-of-24 from the field along with eight rebounds and 10 assists. Kelly Oubre Jr. gave the Sixers 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Kyle Lowry had 16 points and four boards against his old squad. </p>
<p id="KocdTr">Tobias Harris was once again out with a right ankle sprain, as was Miami’s Jimmy Butler with a right foot contusion. </p>
<p id="ciGA0j">With this win and the Pacers losing to the Cavaliers earlier this evening, the Sixers are back in the sixth seed of the Eastern Conference. </p>
<p id="Xhgedc">Here are some thoughts from the Center. </p>
<h3 id="teG4i0"><strong>First Quarter </strong></h3>
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<li id="vdJp0r">It was an odd start for Mo Bamba, who began his night by knocking down a three at the top of the key. He stayed home perfectly to swat away a Terry Rozier layup attempt, and caused a deflection a few possessions later. He did have less success chasing around Adebayo, who made his first four shots of the evening. </li>
<li id="SSufq2">Maxey had it going on from the opening tip, scoring 17 in the first. Those points came on shots with a high degree of difficulty as well, like this up-and-under layup he was able to finish while drawing a foul. </li>
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<p lang="pt" dir="ltr">⬅️ defense ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/dVhxUiQDxP">pic.twitter.com/dVhxUiQDxP</a></p>— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) <a href="https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1769874161185219061?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<ul><li id="FaZUZj">Maxey opened the quarter strong, and Oubre finished it that way. He had two blocks, including a weak side rotation to swat away a Thomas Bryant layup. He continues to be productive off drives too — he had a couple of back cuts for baskets and kicked one out which swung around to Maxey for a three. The <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Sixers</a> led by eight after the opening quarter. </li></ul>
<h3 id="Fc8CJp"><strong>Second Quarter </strong></h3>
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<li id="z4Sa2m">Miami opened up the quarter with some zone defense and it through the Sixers for a loop. They turned the ball over on their first two possessions, then proceeded to miss their next four shots. All the while, the Heat went on an 8-0 run to tie things up. </li>
<li id="tewdZH">It’s not weird that Paul Reed has a short leash, it just seems weird that he’s the only big in the rotation with a short leash. He was pulled early in the second in favor of some small-ball lineups with Nico Batum and KJ Martin, followed up by Bamba to finish the half. </li>
<li id="NigLbC">While Batum’s passing and shooting made him a viable option to sit in the middle of the zone, Martin’s limitations made it easy for that zone to defend. Martin had one point in the half, going 0-of-1 from the field and 1-of-2 from the line. </li>
<li id="zePgKX">Some chaotic plays in transition helped the Sixers go back in front. They found an open Oubre on the wing after Caleb Martin missed a fast break on the other end. Maxey threw a ridiculous full-court pass to Kyle Lowry who converted the and-1. Another three from Oubre in the corner gave them a two-point lead at the break. </li>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">THIS SEQUENCE <br><br> : ESPN <a href="https://t.co/B0lVvFknVF">pic.twitter.com/B0lVvFknVF</a></p>— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1769886494452220079?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a>
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<h3 id="VfMShj"><strong>Third Quarter </strong></h3>
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<li id="vi1ETv">The Sixers couldn’t ask for a better start to the second half as they opened it with a 12-2 run. On top of forcing a couple of turnovers, they made five of their first six shots from the field as another three from Bamba prompted a Heat timeout. </li>
<li id="nvjq61">It was impressive how the Sixers were getting their hands on everything during this stretch. Maxey was everywhere, fighting through a dribble handoff and standing up Terry Rozier. Even Bamba was able to swipe a pass at half court, then hit Oubre on a short roll. </li>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">man on a mission. ♂️ ♂️ ♂️ <a href="https://t.co/LE3nRosOW7">pic.twitter.com/LE3nRosOW7</a></p>— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) <a href="https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1769893145892835516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a>
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<ul><li id="P7JI8z"> After going scoreless for two and a half minutes, the Sixers were able to shut down a Heat run with some more tough buckets from Maxey. Buddy Hield also got on the board, hitting his first two field goals of the game late in the quarter, as the Sixers held a 14-point lead after three. </li></ul>
<h3 id="ESO5wI"><strong>Fourth Quarter </strong></h3>
<ul>
<li id="f37BEr">Just like in the first half, it was tough sledding for the Sixers’ offense when Maxey went to the bench. They missed four of their five shots and turned it over twice. Miami took advantage of this by cutting the lead in half. </li>
<li id="PvwL5E">The couple minutes after Maxey checked back in might have been even uglier. He immediately turned the ball over for a Patty Mills three. A couple more Heat threes and another turnover from Bamba gave them a fast break opportunity to tie the game. Their double-digit lead had evaporated in less than six minutes. </li>
<li id="rWCKrN">With how hard defenses are zeroing in on Maxey late in games, he needs his supporting cast to get him over the finish line. Lowry once again made some big shots, knocking down a three to put them back up four. He also spun around Rozier and Adebayo for what felt like his first layup as a Sixer in the half court. Those ended up being enough for the night. </li>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Klow7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Klow7</a> for <a href="https://t.co/jy0iQkqfgX">pic.twitter.com/jy0iQkqfgX</a></p>— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) <a href="https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1769904182599827644?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a>
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<ul><li id="DlkDkp">The Sixers will hit the road again for one more trip out west. They’ll kick things off in Phoenix, taking on the Suns Wednesday night at 10 p.m. ET. </li></ul>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/3/18/24105308/sixers-heat-final-score-game-recap-tyrese-maxey-kelly-oubre-jr-mo-bamba-kyle-lowryJosh Grieb2024-03-18T20:45:00-04:002024-03-18T20:45:00-04:00Sixers-Heat: second half thread
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<p>No Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid, or Tyler Herro so Kelly Oubre, Jr., Tyrese Maxey will look to best Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat in a game with massive playoff or play-in implications. </p> <h3 id="v4pAA7">Game Details</h3>
<p id="KQb5Zh"><strong>Who: </strong><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/"><strong>Philadelphia 76ers</strong></a> vs. Miami Heat</p>
<p id="fzv590"><strong>When: </strong>7:30 pm EST</p>
<p id="ZZYSvz"><strong>Where: </strong>The Center</p>
<p id="NibW7M"><strong>Watch: </strong>ESPN</p>
<p id="6SPRqp"><strong>Radio:</strong> 97.5 The Fanatic</p>
<p id="AGXMBr"><strong>Follow:</strong> <a href="http://twitter.com/Liberty_Ballers"><strong>@LibertyBallers</strong></a></p>
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https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/3/18/24094555/sixers-heat-second-half-threadDavid Early2024-03-18T19:00:00-04:002024-03-18T19:00:00-04:00Sixers-Heat: first half thread
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<p>No Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid, or Tyler Herro so Kelly Oubre, Jr., Tyrese Maxey will look to best Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat in a game with massive playoff or play-in implications. </p> <h3 id="v4pAA7">Game Details</h3>
<p id="KQb5Zh"><strong>Who: </strong><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/"><strong>Philadelphia 76ers</strong></a> vs. Miami Heat</p>
<p id="fzv590"><strong>When: </strong>7:30 pm EST</p>
<p id="ZZYSvz"><strong>Where: </strong>The Center</p>
<p id="NibW7M"><strong>Watch: </strong>ESPN</p>
<p id="6SPRqp"><strong>Radio:</strong> 97.5 The Fanatic</p>
<p id="AGXMBr"><strong>Follow:</strong> <a href="http://twitter.com/Liberty_Ballers"><strong>@LibertyBallers</strong></a></p>
<p id="aRigTN"></p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/3/18/24094552/sixers-heat-first-half-threadDavid Early2024-03-18T18:21:30-04:002024-03-18T18:21:30-04:00Sixers’ Tobias Harris, Heat’s Jimmy Butler out Monday
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<p>Both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat will be missing starters as they face off on Monday night.</p> <p id="l0N8YS">Both teams will be shorthanded on Monday night in a contest between the Miami Heat and the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Philadelphia 76ers</a>. </p>
<p id="97yfsR">Sixers forward Tobias Harris will miss his second consecutive game with an ankle sprain. Harris had visibly rolled the ankle towards the end of the Sixers’ March 15 game at the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com">Milwaukee Bucks</a>. He finished that contest, but has been out since. He did not take part in the team’s morning shootaround Monday before being ruled out. That being said, head coach Nick Nurse said pregame that he expects Harris’ return soon, and that he will be traveling with the team on their upcoming west coast road trip.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nick Nurse says he imagines Tobias Harris will be back very soon, and that Harris will be on the upcoming west coast road trip <a href="https://t.co/Gz88kaHKqT">https://t.co/Gz88kaHKqT</a></p>— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) <a href="https://twitter.com/SixersAdam/status/1769843335856902455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="f0sYJ5">The Sixers are also still missing Joel Embiid, De’Anthony Melton and Robert Covington. Another pregame note from Monday, Nurse said that there’s currently no timetable for Melton’s return as he again struggles with a back injury.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nurse also says there’s no update on De’Anthony Melton, who has only played in 5 games since January 1 because of recurring back problems — an underrated part of Philly’s struggles. <a href="https://t.co/WmREC6Az3d">https://t.co/WmREC6Az3d</a></p>— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimBontemps/status/1769844618307207542?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="KSzko8">The Heat will be missing Jimmy Butler, who will miss his second consecutive game Monday with a foot contusion. Butler missed Miami’s game last night, a 104-101 victory over the Indiana Pacers. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">UPDATE: Jimmy Butler (foot) has been ruled out. <a href="https://t.co/zp99o4daj0">https://t.co/zp99o4daj0</a></p>— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) <a href="https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/1769846073101561932?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="4FVK6P">Miami will also be without Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, Josh Richardson and Kevin Love for the contest. </p>
<p id="OW1tbT">The Sixers and Heat tip off in South Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m. ET. </p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/3/18/24105299/philadelphia-sixers-miami-heat-tobias-harris-jimmy-butler-nick-nurseErin Grugan2024-03-18T14:28:21-04:002024-03-18T14:28:21-04:00Sixers Stock Watch: Joel Embiid era Sixers gear up to tour west without their No. 1 man
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<img alt="San Antonio Spurs v Philadelphia 76ers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-CjPCAU8XJZ3NV2sMZLQlr3dpJc=/0x0:7124x4749/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215837/1948410934.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Tyrese Maxey and co. must continue to keep things afloat while Joel Embiid recovers. </p> <p id="04VGc7">The <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Sixers</a> recently lost to the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">Knicks</a> by 27, and then lost to the Bucks by nine. I knew they were in trouble when Joel Embiid first went down, but don’t blame me for panicking a bit anyway; many of us fans are accustomed to sadness dating back to the Process era. </p>
<p id="CpIIt2">But Nick Nurse and the Sixers couldn’t drown their problems in champagne. They had to Swiftly shake it off, which they did, nabbing a win over the Charlotte Hornets. </p>
<p id="pyqnCY">Alas, the Sixers are still treading water without their superstar, but you figure Daryl Morey and co. can tolerate it, as long as they hold onto some hope he’ll return and be the man in due time. </p>
<p id="KhwvEN">Losing Tyrese Maxey for a few games with a concussion didn’t help matters. But for one night, Kelly Oubre Jr. led a completely overmatched group of Sixers into Madison Square Garden and stole one of the two games vs. the Knicks in New York this month. </p>
<p id="fMSfMh">Oubre, Jr. was so locked in during that 79-73 grudge match that Philadelphia won, KOj even had typically mild-mannered Donte DiVincenzo asking himself ‘<em>look what you made me do?’</em> </p>
<p id="lLhBu2">It’s pretty clear on video replay that DDV mistakenly concluded Oubre, Jr. was taunting him when KOj had merely stumbled, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXoumRttTgM">so Kelly couldn’t stop laughing</a> even though others were seeing maroon.</p>
<p id="9JEOlG"><em>DDV, Kelly just stumbled, you need to calm down with all that vigilante s—t. </em></p>
<p id="v8Josz">Big Ragu got a tech so...ready for it? Basically, in the NBA you can get the <em>exact</em> same punishment for performing a Khabib Nurmagomedov double-leg take-down on a guy who <em>wasn’t even provoking a fight</em> as you can for casually flipping the ball toward a ref or <a href="https://youtu.be/Sq2623dPbhs?si=GF3fUKXe6rVpxWLm&t=59">even doing nothing at all</a>? </p>
<p id="fN4Lty">What mastermind cooked this wildly unpredictable justice system up? </p>
<p id="VkkQg2">But since Oubre Jr. didn’t sprain a wrist or knee, now what matters most is that fans of both Knicks and Sixers got just a taste of how much bad blood a potential playoff series would fuel between these two Turnpike rivals — if that’s how the bracket broke. </p>
<p id="MfG5mN">And you just know multiple former <a href="https://www.vuhoops.com">Villanova</a> stars like Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and DDV would all be looking to play the anti-hero role (Troel Embiid typically enjoys playing) in South Philly if that indeed took place. </p>
<p id="yWg7nc">Speaking of the postseason, we have <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/3/17/24104447/sixers-injury-update-joel-embiid-knee-robert-covington-tobias-harris-deanthony-melton">no timelines yet, but we have heard a bit of encouraging news</a> on the reigning MVP injury front. </p>
<p id="d8gx2Z">‘Tis the damn season to take some Sixers stock with the postseason now one month away. </p>
<h3 id="FUBTV7"><strong>Standings</strong></h3>
<p id="bmlh4U">Per <a href="http://ESPN.com">ESPN.com</a>, a look at the current Eastern Conference Standings as of Monday morning:</p>
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<p id="BouNZO">The Sixers are sitting in eighth place. </p>
<p id="XFjm9P">They have the same record as the Miami Heat, but having lost the tie-breaker, they sit one spot behind Jimmy Butler and co. And that’s a pretty important single seeding difference. Nobody wants to face the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Boston Celtics</a> in round one. As of today, if the season were to end, the Sixers would visit Butler’s Heat down in South Beach for the Play-In. </p>
<p id="glFkN1">If they won that game, they’d earn a date to Milwaukee to take on a (seemingly more beatable) Bucks team. </p>
<p id="AJWr3t">If they lost the Play-In game from an eighth seed, they’d play host to the winner of Chicago-Atlanta for the unenviable right to ship up to Boston for a road series vs. Jayson Tatum and co. </p>
<p id="JiRapO">Two non-wacky scenarios in play here: losing to Boston in the first round, or losing to a Doc Rivers-led team in round one; either would ensure a cruel summer for fans. But for now we’ll leave a blank space for the 76ers’ unknown first-round opponent. </p>
<p id="r6iiI4">A look at the league-wide standings: </p>
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<p id="L1t8Kn">Philadelphia has a below-average record, the 16th best overall, one slot above Golden State, the last great NBA dynasty. </p>
<h3 id="HmUuKZ"><strong>Numbers</strong></h3>
<p id="nsnMJk">It’s been a tale of two seasons. <em>BE and AE.</em> Before Embiid went down and after Embid went down. They had a top-six offense (119.4 points per 100 possessions) when the back-to-back scoring champ was still cooking opposing bigs. </p>
<p id="wVxOYb">But since Joel went down in early February, they’ve mostly floundered trying to score the ball. Today they have the 13th-best offensive rating (116.7). But over the last 15 contests, their 109.7 offensive rating ranks 23rd overall. Hopefully, Maxey, <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/3/17/24103789/tyrese-maxey-philadelphia-76ers-sixers-nba-elbow-brandon-miller-i-tell-everybody-im-a-soldier">who tells everybody he’s a soldier,</a> can get them a win tonight vs. Miami. That’s a huge game standings wise. </p>
<p id="KgwOXb">The Sixers had the eighth-best defensive rating (allowing 113.2 pts/100) before Joel had surgery on his meniscus. Over the last 15 games, they have just the 23rd-ranked defense (115.2). </p>
<p id="t8binV">So yeah, Joel is worth about 12 extra points per 100 possessions, net. Smells like an MVP, don’t it?</p>
<p id="XKs7nK">Small wonder the team is 26-8 with him, and tantamount to a 23rd-ranked lottery team without him. Long live the greatest Sixer since the Fearless Allen Iverson.</p>
<h3 id="DvaGOk"><strong>Power Rankings</strong></h3>
<p id="wOILDM"><a href="http://NBA.com">NBA.com</a> regards the Sixers as perfectly average, coming in 15th in their most recent power rankings. It’s a difficult ranking to resolve because they’re clearly below average without Joel, and awesome with him. </p>
<h3 id="vBT1X5"><strong>Odds</strong></h3>
<p id="S2wt5H">Draft Kings isn’t terribly enchanted with the Sixers chances of hoisting the Larry O.B. jawn. They know all too well the road this team would have to face come playoff time; most likely pulling themselves out of some Play-In Mud, before needing to win four road series. </p>
<p id="18sqVh">Still, only six teams have better title odds than Philadelphia (BOS, DEN, LAC, MIL, PHO, OKC). </p>
<h3 id="M2BEo8"><strong>Vibes</strong></h3>
<p id="oBvxMB">It’s hard to get excited for the Sixers at this time of year. They have a brutal schedule ahead, and their style of play just isn’t the same without Joel. I honestly think my tears would ricochet off my old Sarah McLachlan Mirrorball album through at least August if they got bounced in the first round by the Celts or Doc Rivers. </p>
<p id="NhMqu4">To win it all and get bejeweled, they’d have to strike a delicate balance the rest of the way; win enough games without Embiid to avoid some of those worst-case playoff scenarios, re-Taylor the offense on the fly with some names who’ve yet to play with Jo (like Buddy Hield, Kyle Lowry and No. 22, Cam Payne) then hope injury Karma goes the other way for a change. </p>
<p id="jOM1H1">But it would make for one hell of an NBA love story, wouldn’t it? </p>
<p id="w3HNA2">If I could script anything I wanted, like anything in my wildest dreams, I’d script this Process Era team turning into a juggernaut the rest of the way upon Joel’s return, and begin exorcising all of the demons: beat Jimmy in the Play-in, beat Boston in round one, beat the Knicks in round two, beat Giannis in round three, and then beat either Nikola Jokic or James Harden in the Finals, all on the road....imagine the Kelce-style speech Joel could give at the parade in that version of events? </p>
<p id="72n8Xy"><em>(Can you tell I watched 3.5 hours worth of Taylor Swift concerts on Disney+ last weekend?)</em></p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/3/18/24059332/sixers-stock-watch-joel-embiid-tyrese-maxey-nba-east-standings-suns-lakers-clippers-kingsDavid Early2024-03-18T08:13:26-04:002024-03-18T08:13:26-04:00Sixers aim for second win in a row against Heat
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<img alt="Charlotte Hornets v Philadelphia 76ers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Q1_2oizAfdAfKQiGmzX2NIG1ow0=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214807/2082126034.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>The Sixers will be trying to get a win streak going as they welcome Jimmy Butler and the Heat to Philadelphia.</em></p> <p id="q4wJ0z">It wasn’t pretty, but the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Sixers</a> managed to put together a solid last few minutes and a late 15-4 run to <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/3/16/24103437/sixers-hornets-final-score-game-recap-tyrese-maxey-kelly-oubre-jr-cam-payne-buddy-hield">beat the Hornets 109-98</a> on Saturday. While it was hardly a performance to be proud of against a 17-51 team, it at least takes the Sixers’ record to 37-30 to keep them level with their next opponent in the Eastern Conference standings: the 37-30 Miami Heat.</p>
<p id="nf1fya">The Sixers’ short stint at home comes to an end on Monday as they welcome the Heat, who’ll be entering the game with less rest on the second night of a back-to-back after a buzzer-beating 104-101 win against the Pistons on Sunday. They’re also shorthanded, as Kevin Love (right heel bruise), Nikola Jovic (right hamstring strain), Josh Richardson (right shoulder surgery) and the team’s second-leading scorer Tyler Herro (right foot medial tendinitis) were all out on Sunday.</p>
<p id="HB5GCA">Jimmy Butler was also ruled out at short notice on Sunday due to a right foot contusion. We’ll have to wait for an updated injury report closer to Monday’s tip-off to see if he and Jovic, both considered day-to-day, return in Philly.</p>
<p id="FwQjUf">Apart from Robert Covington and Joel Embiid’s continued absences (with the hope being for Embiid to <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/3/12/24098982/report-sixers-joel-embiid-return-nba-tyrese-maxey">return for the last week of the season</a>), the Sixers are healthy. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">22 PTS | 8/16 FG | 3 REBS | 1 STL <a href="https://twitter.com/KELLYOUBREJR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KELLYOUBREJR</a> had himself a night! <br><br>pres. by <a href="https://twitter.com/PALottery?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PALottery</a> <a href="https://t.co/GEk5FYMKnI">pic.twitter.com/GEk5FYMKnI</a></p>— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) <a href="https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1769179428041425373?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="fTao13">A challenge for the Sixers recently has been closing games and executing at both ends of the floor in the fourth quarter, which most recently cost them against the Bucks. After entering the final quarter with a 83-80 lead, they came up short in the fourth, losing the final period 34-22. As the Sixers beat the Hornets on Saturday, though, Nick Nurse was more pleased with what he saw from his squad on offense and defense to end the game.</p>
<p id="p2Dypy">"It usually comes down to some shot-making and stop-making," Nurse said when talking about the difference down the stretch against Charlotte compared to recent games. "We were able to do both, kind of, consecutively there in the last three minutes of the game. We had a couple of good shots, got an and-one, battled on the glass a little bit, got to the free-throw line there a little bit kind of late in the game, as well, and we were just good enough at the defensive end as well to string up about three stops in a row."</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tyrese, are you kidding!? <a href="https://t.co/D2qrA3hF5y">pic.twitter.com/D2qrA3hF5y</a></p>— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) <a href="https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1769164112100020403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="Aaqk66">Doing the same against the Heat won't be quite as easy, though. While Miami isn't particularly high in the close Eastern Conference standings at eighth place, going 5-5 in their last 10 games and sitting at an underwhelming 21st in offensive rating for the season, it’s their ninth-ranked defense that leads the way. </p>
<p id="HPZ39G">Butler’s production and efficiency has fallen slightly since last season, and, even if healthy, he’s only entering Monday’s game after averaging just 14.5 points on only 13.5 field attempts in his last two games. That said, he’s still averaging 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals with a 62.3 true shooting percentage this season. Tobias Harris's defense has been as bad it's ever been in Philadelphia for weeks now, so it’s up to Nicolas Batum to use his size, agility and smarts to bother Butler if the Heat’s star is back. With his length, timing and ability to contest drives and help block shots at the rim, Batum has a few skills that could help contain Butler's focus on attacking the paint.</p>
<p id="TJJTFm">Again, their offense isn't at full strength right now without Herro, so others like Duncan Robinson (who's evolved his play this season with improvements attacking off the dribble and passing) and deadline addition Terry Rozier (averaging 15.4 points and 5.6 assists, albeit with cool shooting, in his first 19 games as a starter) will have to continue to step up in his absence.</p>
<p id="3kAfgG">On Sunday, it was Adebayo — someone who very rarely shoots from beyond the arc — who came up with a game-winning triple at the buzzer:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BAM ADEBAYO FROM 3? BAM ADEBAYO FROM 3. FOR THE WIN <a href="https://t.co/W1CsJJPFg6">pic.twitter.com/W1CsJJPFg6</a></p>— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) <a href="https://twitter.com/stevejones20/status/1769473048187437492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="MS69vz">It’ll be interesting to see how Paul Reed (who’s had plenty of strong performances recently) fares against Adebayo. He has the mobility and rangy athleticism on the perimeter to hang with Adebayo’s ball-handling, so will hopefully be trusted to anchor the Sixers’ frontcourt over Mo Bamba — who not only lacks the agility to cover Adebayo’s perimeter play but simply shouldn’t be playing more minutes than Reed in general. Bamba played 28 minutes compared to Reed’s 19 against Charlotte, so Nurse switching things up would surely make sense for Monday’s game.</p>
<p id="ke7WJ7">The Heat should offer far more of challenge than the Hornets, but we'll see if the Sixers can build on this win and get any kind of momentum or consistency going as they wait for Embiid's (hopeful) return in early April. With the Heat dealing with a few injury issues of their own, perhaps Tyrese Maxey and Co. can come up with another W.</p>
<h3 id="v4pAA7">Game Details</h3>
<p id="KQb5Zh"><strong>Who: </strong>Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat</p>
<p id="fzv590"><strong>When: </strong>7:30 pm EST</p>
<p id="ZZYSvz"><strong>Where: </strong>The Center</p>
<p id="NibW7M"><strong>Watch: </strong>ESPN</p>
<p id="6SPRqp"><strong>Radio:</strong> 97.5 The Fanatic</p>
<p id="AGXMBr"><strong>Follow:</strong> <a href="http://twitter.com/Liberty_Ballers"><strong>@LibertyBallers</strong></a></p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/3/18/24103690/sixers-heat-nick-nurse-tyrese-maxey-joel-embiid-jimmy-butler-tyler-herro-nbaTom West2024-03-17T21:57:19-04:002024-03-17T21:57:19-04:00No timelines yet, but encouraging news on Embiid, Covington
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<img alt="Charlotte Hornets v Philadelphia 76ers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OiiRk7ftITY7FNdAkexpuXKOToI=/0x0:3614x2409/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214272/2091578723.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>While we still don’t have a clear timeline for Joel Embiid’s return to action, the reigning MVP was able to participate in some portions of practice Sunday.</p> <p id="CuJmjl">The <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Sixers</a> have had brutal injury luck for months now.</p>
<p id="SCGSot">Even beyond Joel Embiid’s absence, De’Anthony Melton and Robert Covington have been missed significant time. Players like Tyrese Maxey, Nicolas Batum and Tobias Harris have been in and out of the lineup. The results have mostly been ugly, but it’s hard when you’re shuffling the roster in a Process-like way.</p>
<p id="Ja9WAs">There was a bit of good news to come out of Sixers practice on Sunday: Embiid was able to participate in some portions.</p>
<p id="YH8tJA">“Joel was here today, yep,” head coach Nick Nurse said. “He was on the court. He went through a little bit of the practice — all non-contact stuff. He’s lifting weights right now. No timeline for his return.”</p>
<p id="wwzAHQ">The Sixers have been playing Embiid’s potential return close to the chest. </p>
<p id="dnrljE">When Embiid initially had the procedure done on his injured left meniscus back on Feb. 6, reports said he could be back in six-to-eight weeks. This Tuesday would put him at the six-week mark, however, a recent report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne poured a little cold water on the situation. According to Shelburne, <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/3/12/24098982/report-sixers-joel-embiid-return-nba-tyrese-maxey">Embiid is “not anywhere close”</a> and the Sixers are hoping for him to return for the last week of the regular season.</p>
<p id="DW5L8I">With that said, any news that includes Embiid participating in any portions of practice feels positive, especially when you consider the reigning MVP will need to find chemistry with new teammates Kyle Lowry, Buddy Hield and Cameron Payne.</p>
<p id="VGlN6V">Covington has been out even longer than Embiid, not playing a game in 2024. He last played in a loss to the Bulls on Dec. 30 and has missed the last 34 games with a left knee bone bruise.</p>
<p id="TETzh7">The veteran forward could be seen getting shots up after practice and, like Embiid, was able to participate in portions of practice for the first time in a while.</p>
<p id="w00t2p">“It’s his first time back around (practice),” Nurse said. “He has been on the court a few days. He did get out and participate in parts of practice today. It’s a good step forward. Hopefully, it’ll keep going forward. That’s kind of the thing with him. Each day you’ve got to check to see how it responds to some court time — extended court time. He had a pretty long session yesterday, and it looks like they’re going at it again a little bit longer. He’s tolerating everything so far, so hopefully he keeps going.”</p>
<p id="waLQbt">While Embiid and Covington are making progress, Harris and Melton remain out. Harris suffered a right ankle sprain in the fourth quarter against the Bucks Thursday and missed Saturday night’s game against the Hornets. As for Melton, who has been dealing with a back issue for months, he’s expected to be re-evaluated this Wednesday.</p>
<p id="8e6sja">The Sixers are going to have work to do to integrate so many returning players back into the lineup. For now, the healthy players have to find a way to win — and that starts on the defensive end.</p>
<p id="UMHmlV">“We know when De’Anthony, RoCo and Joel come back, a lot of things are going to change for sure,” veteran Nicolas Batum said. “But something you can’t lose is the defense, though. OK, the offense is probably going to improve, but we can’t let our defense go down, especially in the offense. We’re missing three defensive guys. So that’s encouraging. When we add them, we can improve our defense again. That’s something we’re going to need in April.”</p>
<p id="WMUUIe"></p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/3/17/24104447/sixers-injury-update-joel-embiid-knee-robert-covington-tobias-harris-deanthony-meltonPaul Hudrick