3 observations: Tobias Harris, shooters lead Sixers past Hornets
The Philadelphia 76ers returned home on Saturday looking to keep their winning ways going as they hosted the Charlotte Hornets to begin a two-game home series with them. After securing a road win over the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia was looking for a third straight win overall.
They did so in a convincing fashion as they never trailed and led by as many as 17 in a 127-112 win to improve to 5-1 to begin the season. Tobias Harris led the way with 24 points along with nine rebounds and six assists, Joel Embiid added 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Seth Curry added 21 and six assists, and Danny Green added 12. Ben Simmons poured in his usual all-around game of 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
With that said, here are the three observations from this one:
Aggressive Tobias
The Sixers know what they will get out of guys like Simmons and Embiid every night, but Harris? He has become something of an X-Factor on this team. Coach Doc Rivers has been working with him on his aggressiveness to begin the season and after a couple of mishaps to begin the season, Harris has been terrific over the past few games. He’s not jab stepping over and over again before making a move. He’s catching it and quickly either getting to the basket or he is pulling up for a shot. He had a big dunk over Bismack Biyombo in the first quarter that was mean and nasty. That has to continue. https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1345526770108428291
Shooters shoot
It’s great to see the Sixers come out of the dark ages of basketball and step into the modern light. After they had so many issues spacing the floor in the 2019-20 campaign, the team went out and brought in legitimate shooters and the moves are paying off. Philadelphia knocked down seven triples in the opening quarter with three coming from Green and the attention that he and Curry receive is just terrific for their offensive output. The team made 12 triples at the half on their way to 16 for the game. That then creates open looks for their other shooters. While Simmons and Embiid get open lanes to the basket, guys such as Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle, and Harris also get open looks from the perimeter and they took advantage. The additions of Green and Curry have proven to be very good pickups thus far.
Ball movement, again
This could be coupled with the second observation, but the Sixers continue to put on a clinic in ball movement to begin this season. They have continued to whip the ball around and continue to pass up good looks for great looks. Simmons was a big leader in this area as he had nine assists at halftime alone, but Embiid deserves a lot of credit too. There was one specific possession where the Hornets sent an aggressive double team toward Embiid and he immediately found Shake Milton who then swung it to Curry who then found Harris in the corner for an open triple. Curry had a good look, but Harris had a wide-open look and that is what happens when the ball is moving like that.
