Pros and Cons: Sixers vs. Grizzlies
The good and the bad from Sixers-Grizzlies.
Adam Aaronson, whose legal name is Sixers Adam (@SixersAdam on Twitter), covers the Sixers for The Rights To Ricky Sanchez. He believes cantaloupe is the best food in existence, and is brought to you by the Official Realtor of The Process, Adam Ksebe.
Riding a four-game winning streak, the Sixers hosted the 35-17 Memphis Grizzlies tonight in a tough matchup. The Grizzlies have been great all year, but the task became especially difficult when the Sixers decided to give Joel Embiid a night of rest. So, how did the Embiid-less Sixers fare against budding superstar Ja Morant and the third seed in the Western Conference?
Pro: Andre Drummond comes up big in starting opportunity
I don’t have to tell you that the Sixers typically struggle mightily when Embiid is out or on the bench. That added to the pressure on Drummond to hold down the fort tonight against a diverse Grizzlies frontcourt that includes Steven Adams, Jaren Jackson, Jr. and Brandon Clarke.
Drummond had a largely excellent performance in Embiid’s place, going for 16 points, 25 rebounds and five assists, plus three blocks and two steals. Drummond was especially dominant in the first quarter, when he put together a six-point, four-rebound, four-assist showing.
Drummond is very up-and-down, to put it generously. But when he is at his best, Drummond is without question an elite backup center who can provide stability and flashiness on both ends.
After an impressive game on Saturday night, Drummond built on his success with more big-time plays.
Con: Sixers once again plagued by ball security issues
The Sixers looked excellent for the first 18 minutes or so of this game, building a lead that peaked at 17 points. But they allowed Memphis to climb all the way back into it, tying the game later in the second quarter.
Their biggest issue? Stop me if you’ve heard this before: turnovers. They racked up 21 of them on the night, and every rotation player other than Matisse Thybulle had at least one.
For those looking toward the trade deadline, this game was Exhibit A if you want to make the case that the Sixers should trade for a backup ball-handler. Yes, they were missing Shake Milton and Furkan Korkmaz tonight, but are either of those players solving these problems?
(I’ll have a whole lot of words on the deadline and what the Sixers’ options will be in the coming days and weeks!)
Pro: Tyrese Maxey dazzles in showdown against Ja Morant
Morant was the main story for pretty much the entire game. And let’s face it: that’s well-earned. Morant spent most of the game dominating the Sixers, and putting on a show while doing so.
While Morant may have been the big draw, Maxey was similarly excellent tonight. He racked up 33 points, shooting 13-23 from the field. He also dished out eight assists and surprised with a career-high four blocks.
Some of Maxey’s best play this season has come in games where the Sixers are without Embiid. That trend continued tonight, as he took the reins and controlled the offense whenever he was in the game. Maxey has improved as a facilitator -- and been deliberate in attempting to do so -- but he is at his best when he recognizes that he himself is, as the kids say, “a bucket.”
Maxey understands that he needs to change the way he plays in games like this. And luckily for the Sixers, he is remarkably flexible for such a young player.