Player grades: Joel Embiid dominates, Sixers beat Hornets in preseason
PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers finished up the preseason schedule on Wednesday night when they played host to the Charlotte Hornets and it was a night where the starters got extended minutes. Considering it is the final exhibition game, it made sense to see the starters stretched into the third quarter.
Joel Embiid played in just his second preseason game and he looked dominant out on the floor. The big fella finished with 19 points and he was clearly the best player on the floor as the Sixers came away with a 99-94 win in the preseason finale.
James Harden had a solid game with 17 points and five assists, Tyrese Maxey had nine points on 3-for-13 shooting, and Montrezl Harrell had 14 and six rebounds off the bench.
Here are the player grades following the win:
James Harden: A
The Beard continues to regain his former self on the offensive end. He dribbled into an easy pull-up triple early in this one and he was consistently getting into the paint which is a huge development for Philadelphia on the offensive end. If he is getting into the paint, that causes defenses to collapse and that opens up opportunities for the shooters. The gravity that Harden has is one of his biggest assets. The efficiency will have to come back for him, but the preseason was good for Harden.
Tyrese Maxey: C-
Once again, the young man drilled a triple to start the game. He spaced well and found himself open for a corner triple and the Hornets were focused on him a lot on their defensive end. That would explain his lack of efficiency in this one, but considering his overall preseason effort, one can forgive him for not shooting the ball well on Wednesday.
Tobias Harris: D
The veteran out of Tennessee was aggressive looking for his shot, but he wasn’t able to capitalize on his opportunities. Much like Monday, the Sixers were drawing up plays in order to free him up though and that seems to be something they will favor early in games to get Harris going.
PJ Tucker: C+
Once again, Tucker didn’t make a big impact in terms of stats, but one felt his presence out there. The veteran was making hustle plays and he was freeing his teammates open with screens. One can really see his obvious impact out on the floor to positively help this team. He collided with Embiid in this one and his minutes were limited after that.
Joel Embiid: A
The big fella did what he does. He drew three fouls on Charlotte big man Mason Plumlee in the first quarter, alone, and he looked like he was in midseason form, already. He was knocking down jumpers, he was drawing fouls, and he was big on the defensive end. He’s fine. Get him to Boston for opening night.
Montrezl Harrell: A
In his initial stint, Harrell was a terror out there. The guy was aggressive in every facet of the game and he was going after the glass like his life depended on it. He was efficient around the basket and he was frustrating Charlotte’s big men in his minutes out on the floor. His energy and his hustle is going to be a welcomed addition to this team.
De'Anthony Melton: B+
Melton is going to be a very nice addition to this team on both ends. His defensive effort against Charlotte’s guards was smothering and his physical play on the glass looks like it will be a big help when the regular season begins on Tuesday.
Georges Niang: A
When one thinks of Niang, they think of his 3-point shooting, and for good reason. He hopped off the bench early and he fired up two triples, making one of them, and then he used his dribble game to free himself up for a few buckets when defenders flew at him to run him off the line.
Danuel House Jr.: B-
The locker room favorite wasn’t able to make a big impact with his scoring in this one, but he was able to make a few hustle plays on the defensive and he brought the energy. That seems to be the theme with a lot of these Sixers in terms of making plays that one doesn’t see in the box score.
Shake Milton: B+
Milton didn’t get any burn until late in the third quarter, but he was able to make an impact right away. He knocked down a triple and he was making plays with his passing to set up his teammates. There was a lot to like about his game in this one.
Matisse Thybulle: A
Thybulle didn’t get any minutes until the fourth quarter, but when he did play, he made an impact right off the bat. He was driving to the basket and finishing and he made a few big plays on defense. This was a good game for him.
