Nets at Sixers Recap: Sixers lose 127-124

The Sixers fell to the Nets, 127 – 124, in yet another tough tough game for Philly against Brooklyn. Despite spurts of compatibility and flow between Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons and even Furkan Kurkmaz, there still wasn’t enough power to best the well-oiled machine that was Brooklyn.

Heading in to Wednesday evening’s game, the Sixers were short staffed to say the least. So short staffed that Korkmaz had his first career start. Which was incredible and exciting, but not exactly the situation you want be in in terms of winning. With Jimmy Butler out due to a groin strain, Mike Muscala out with a respiratory infection and Markelle Fultz inactive, the squad looked disorderly.

Embiid was one of the only Sixers that somewhat resembled his usual play. With 33 points at 12-18 from the floor and 7-8 from the line, the big man led not only in points but also in defensive rebounds by a landslide of 14.

The Nets on the other hand were collectively playing tremendously on both ends of the ball. Led by Spencer Dinwiddie, the team was shooting 51.4% from the field. Dinwiddie recorded a career-high 39 points. Ahead of only his last career-record 31 points, which was against Philadelphia on November 25.

The statistic to take away from Wednesday’s game, however, was the difference in free throws. The Nets attempted 43 free throws, 27 more than the Sixers. At an 86% rate, the points acquired from the line were the catalyst to a win.

The final moments wound down on the night with a valiant effort to come back from the Sixers. Down nine in entering the final minute, Landry Shamet makes a 26-foot 3-pointer from a Korkmaz assist. Thirty-six seconds. A steal from Shamet. Twenty-six seconds. A 3-pointer from Shamet! The Sixers were only down by four. But time simply kept moving and there wasn’t enough for the frazzled team. The Nets walked away with the win.