Sixers discuss the success of 6-game winning streak after win over Spurs
The Philadelphia 76ers kept the winning streak going on Friday after a relatively easy 119-100 win over the San Antonio Spurs at home. It is now the sixth straight win for Philadelphia and they are now sitting at 22-16 after a tough stretch that saw them drop to .500 on the season.
A big reason for their success has been playing with pace and pushing the ball when they have the opportunity. They had 28 assists on Friday on 45 field goals as they were able to get into a nice rhythm early and often.
The Sixers shot 51.7% from the floor and led by as many as 21 on the night while also scoring 18 fastbreak points. This was a solid night all around for a team that is still looking to find themselves.
“The game is becoming easy because we’re moving the ball,” said Joel Embiid who had seven assists. “We’re playing with each other, the ball is not sticking. Whatever play is called, we have first option, second option, third option, and we’re just playing together. Defensively, I thought we’ve been better. At times we have bad times, but as a whole, I think we’ve been better, and then offensively, I think we’ve been on a roll.”
In the first quarter, the Sixers were moving the ball with quickness and pace as they scored 39 points in the first 12 minutes with 10 assists on 15 made field goals. Embiid had 11 points and five assists in the first quarter while Seth Curry added 13 points which set the tone for Philadelphia.
“In the first half, I thought everybody, not just Joel, offensively, no one forced,” said coach Doc Rivers. “The game just came to them, good rhythm, that was as good rhythm I’ve seen from us offensively for a while. Ball movement, it just seemed like the ball never stuck. Everybody got points in rhythm. We ran our stuff so that was really good and Joel is the leader of that all the time.”
Embiid and Curry, especially, were running the two-man game early and often and it helped Philadelphia get into that rhythm offensively.
“I just thought Joel and Seth really had it going in the pick-and-roll game,” said Tobias Harris. “That was pretty evident all throughout the first half and even going into the second half. It just opened up a lot of things for a lot of guys.”
That type of basketball can get guys involved and make sure that they are focused on the game.
“We were playing with good pace offensively, the ball was moving around, pushing the ball up the floor, and we were finding the open man,” Curry added. “We got great shots and were knocking them down so it was fun basketball to play. Everybody was involved and our pace in the halfcourt was a little quicker.”
The Sixers now must take this and continue to build momentum as they take on the Houston Rockets on the road on Monday.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
List
One thought on every Philadelphia 76ers player two months into season
