Sixers explain how Spurs were able to make them sweat in their win
The Philadelphia 76ers were able to build up a big lead of 17 points on the road on Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs. They were facing a Spurs team that was missing three starters as well as a key bench piece and it seemed as if they would cruise to this one.
Instead, the Spurs dug deep, and led by Keldon Johnson and Lonnie Walker IV, they were able to rally back and force overtime. The Sixers were able to prevail 113-111 in overtime thanks to some heroics from Ben Simmons, but it should not have been that way as they had to sweat it out a bit late.
The Sixers were able to move the ball beautifully at the beginning of this one as they were able to get Seth Curry going on the offensive end. He made all four of his attempts from deep in the first half, but he only got two 3-pointers in the second half as the ball stuck and San Antonio was able to get back into the game.
“I thought there were times when we moved the ball great and then it felt like every time we got a big lead, the ball starts sticking,” said coach Doc Rivers. “He (Curry) went a long stretch without getting the ball so it’d be great when we watch film and we can see that.”
On one hand, the Sixers could just be a victim of human nature. When a team goes up by as much as they did against a shorthanded team, it is easy to go away from what was working and just do whatever they feel like.
“The first unit started doing it at the end of their rotation,” said Rivers. “Then I thought the second unit just basically played ISO ball. That’s not who we are. It’s one of those games, sometimes you think you’re gonna win by a lot and guys play free ball and what happened was the Spurs didn’t go away.”
For a team that has their eyes on a bigger prize, the Sixers have to be able to stay focused for the full 48 minutes. They have to be able to identify when the ball is sticking and they have to be able to get out of that and get back into a rhythm.
“It definitely was at times,” said Simmons. “We’ve got to recognize that earlier and I gotta be more aware of that and get my guys involved and get us into better sets.”
The Sixers must now refocus and get ready for the Chicago Bulls on the road on Monday.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
