2018-19 Sixers Season

[zambonir]

I'm not suggesting Harris will "improve," just that 27 games and two playoffs rounds isn't much of a sample of his overall play, even if the playoffs are important (still his first postseason of note too). Not sure anyone thinks he is truly worth his max, just that the Sixers' get a better player by re-signing him than they can via other acquisition methods. Which may or may not be true. Heck, we don't even know if Butler wants to re-sign, though he will if he wants the biggest deal.

They're starting to say LeBron's available (or wants to be).

[el-pietro]

The Sixers came out with real intensity in this game. Ben has looked really good. Jimmy is playing out of his skin. Joel isn't quite there but whenever he comes out of the game the Raptors go on a run, though that may be more about Boban than Joel.
Up 15 at the half.

[zambonir]

though that may be more about Boban than Joel.

rather noticeably!

[el-pietro]

Joel came out strong towards the end of that third quarter, huge blocks, a big 3. He hasn't been at his imperious best but hes been key to this 20 point lead. Every time he leaves the court the Raptors go on a run. Hopefully he gets some rest in the fourth but they can't afford to take it easy yet.

[zambonir]

Scott and Ennis having pretty good nights too. Joel really is that good tonight.

[nycphils]

Embiid with the +40 night

[bigegypt0417]

Sixers will need everyone to show up to win tomorrow.

From a talent perspective they are the better team but that isn't going to matter coming down to a game 7.

[phillychuck]

If Embiid is healthy and we shoot even average for us we'll win, I think. I think we sort of have a strategic edge on them defensively, now--their offense is doing a lot of standing around and watching. And Simmons has to stay aggressive.

[Lawman]

Agreed. If Simmons can stay aggressive and Embiid and Butler show up to P-L-A-Y then I think Philly can win.

[zambonir]

If they show up tomorrow they won't win or lose. Which baffles me - Golden State and Houston only get two days off despite crossing two time zones (assuming Houston wins) and there won't be any games at all Saturday. Extra day off surely good for Joel though.

[phillychuck]

Today is the day...

[xogfog]

Sixers down 44-40 at the half, neither team has played very well. Sixers were down 8 early and it looked like it might get away from them, did a good job getting back in the game. Need a big second half from Embid.

[phillychuck]

Sixers have shot about as badly as they can. If they improve on the offensive end they'll win with the current level of defense.

[bigegypt0417]

Game is just about to get away...

[zambonir]

Getting worse before it gets better hopefully.

[zambonir]

A game of runs in a big way. Simplistically, someone (Joel? Jimmy?) needs to put the team on their back and own the 4th or else it's probably gonna be Kawhi.

[bigegypt0417]

Or just rebound...so many second and third chances.

[zambonir]

coulda shoulda woulda for sure

Joel in tears.

[bigegypt0417]

Sixers earned that loss.

Sixers were the best rebounding team in the playoffs and they couldn't keep them off the boards.

[phillychuck]

The rebounding difference was Ben being passive on the defensive boards (tired from chasing Kawhi around?), Harris not being that dominant a rebounder, and just some bad breaks on long boards. Give Gasol and Lowry and Siakam credit for competing on the boards. That was the difference (and two awful foul calls on Simmons, but whining about the refs is not really helping me feel any better right now).