PJ Tucker, Sixers praise Paul Reed for efforts in home win over Suns
PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers were able to come away with a 100-88 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday mainly due to the strong play of Joel Embiid and Georges Niang, but they also got a boost from the backup center.
Paul Reed played 11 minutes off the bench and he only had two points and four rebounds, but his defensive effort was critical in terms of picking up a win at home. He helped harass Suns big man DeAndre Ayton and hold him to just 1-for-5 shooting in the fourth quarter.
The energy that Reed plays with is what allows him to contribute to this team out on the floor. They need his defensive ability in order to come away with wins and get right on the defensive end.
“That’s what he’s gotta do,” said veteran PJ Tucker. “I tell him all the time. Come with energy, know what he’s doing, know the game plan, know how he can be effective, off the ball especially. Offensive rebounding. Getting stops, running the floor, doing the little things that can make a big effect on the game.”
When it comes to Reed, he has to be able to give the team a boost when it comes to allowing Embiid to rest. When he is able to bring energy and be able to help on the defensive end, that allows the Sixers to thrive and be able to move forward as a group.
“I thought he was spectacular,” said coach Doc Rivers. “I thought he guarded Ayton alright, too. They tried to go to Ayton and one thing I told him ‘You have six fouls. You’re not gonna play 40 minutes so use them’. I thought early on, the refs kind of set the tone of the game that it was going to be a very physical game and I thought it probably helped both teams and that’s why it was s slugfest.”
When asked how he was able to have success against Ayton, Reed believes the weight he added on was able to help in that respect.
“I’ve been in the weight room a lot recently,” Reed explained. “Being able to take his hits and I think that’s what helped me a lot.”
Reed and the Sixers will look to build a winning streak when they take on the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.
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