The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 97-94. Monta Ellis led the Mavericks with 24 points and Evan Turner led all scorers with 26 points in a losing effort.
- I'm not going to beat around the bush. This game was ass from the opening tipoff and did not get much better as things went along, even in spite of the close score.
- GAME SUMMARY: The Sixers led, then the Mavericks led, then the game ended.
- Darius Morris is a human tanking machine. No player is committed to tanking more than Darius Morris. Only once you bare witness his airballs does this sensation really resonate home with you. Until then, you have to take my word for it. Darius Morris is the tank and the tank is Darius Morris.
- Tony Wroten did not have his strongest of performances. His shooting was inefficient, going 8-17 for only 19 points to go along with some head-scratching decision making.
- No game against Monta Ellis would not complete without an update on how much of a BOSS he was: 7-14 shooting for 23 points, 10 assists (!!!) and four rebounds. After a slow start, good Monta showed up.
- Brandon Davies played 17 minutes. When the Sixers signed him right before the start of the season, I can't say I envisioned him getting this much playing time.
- Michael Carter-Williams can't return to this team soon enough. A large part of the fun this season has been watching him play and develop. That said, the Sixers are clearly a worse team without him, which does help in the tanking.
- In a season filled with tanking promise, the Sixers started 3-0. The Sixers are now lost seven of their last nine games and are two games below .500 for the first time this season.
- The Sixers are 5-7. The Sixers still lead the Atlantic Division because the NBA Atlantic Division wants to make sure the NFC East and NHL Metropolitan Division are not the worst divisions in sports. The Sixers will end the season 20-62 and make the playoffs anyway. You know this. I know this.
Recap will be up tomorrow morning. Next up for the Sixers, a trip back home and an Atlantic Division showdown Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors. First place is on the line in a battle of teams competing for a top ten pick.