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At some point during a 13-0 run that put the Utah Jazz up 24-12 late in the first quarter, it was clear that it was going to be one of those nights for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Terrible offense and uninspired defense doomed the Sixers to a 99-71 loss in their home opener. The Jazz, who captured their first victory of the season, have now defeated the 76ers in six straight games.
At least we still have the Temple Owls.
Good things:
- Nik Stauskas made his debut: An early 3 got the crowd going, Nothing for nothing, he's an adequate defender, and he can even put the ball on the floor, if necessary. It's clear that he hasn't been able to practice all that much with his teammates, but he's
- Jahlil Okafor's energy: The Sixers were getting run off the floor during most of the second half, but Okafor had a spirited back-and-forth with Utah's Rudy Gobert early in the fourth quarter. Big Jah played 36 minutes against the Jazz, and looked less gassed than he did in his debut vs. Boston.
Not-so-good things:
- Point guard play: Isaiah Canaan and T.J. McConnell simply didn't get it done tonight. Not only was the Sixers' offense stagnant, but both Canaan and McConnell had trouble staying in front of the Jazz guards. Kendall Marshall, Tony Wroten, et. al. can't come back soon enough.
- Big man play: Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors made life hard for Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor, holding the Sixers' bigs to just 6-for-24 shooting.
- Patti LaBelle's rendition of the National Anthem: If you haven't seen it, Google it. You've never heard anything like it in your life.
A full recap will be posted shortly. It won't be pretty. Until then... react!