Detroit Pistons

69

FinalRecap | Box Score

89

Philadelphia 76ers

	Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, PF 31 MIN | 6-14 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 4 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 12 PTS | +34 +/- The 1st Q of last night’s game was the Luc show as he scored 8 points in the opening stanza to propel the Sixers fast start and huge early lead.  IMO 14 FGAs is too many for Luc, but we’ll over look that for now.  This guy has to be worth a 2nd round pick to a contender that needs a big who defends well and score some, right?
	Robert Covington, SF 25 MIN | 7-11 FG | 1-1 FT | 5 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 19 PTS | +22 +/- In his last 3 games leading up to last night, Covington was shooting 28% from the field (9-32), so it was nice to see him rediscover his shooting stroke vs. the Pistons and score 5 points in the 1st Q.  He also drained two three-balls in the 3rd Q.
	Nerlens Noel, C 29 MIN | 2-5 FG | 1-2 FT | 4 REB | 5 AST | 4 STL | 2 BLK | 1 TO | 5 PTS | +34 +/- After an pathetic effort against the NOP, I was looking for a motivated Noel to come out and play very well last night. He didn’t play badly, but Noel was not nearly as agessive as I expected and his stat line was nothing to write home about.  He took only 2 shots and scored only 2 points in the 1st half when the Sixers put this game away.
	Michael Carter-Williams, PG 35 MIN | 5-10 FG | 3-5 FT | 9 REB | 10 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 5 TO | 14 PTS | +34 +/- I thought this was one of MCW’s best all-around games of the year (1 board shy of triple-double).  He was under controll all night and looked to set up teammates.  He did not force shots at any point in the game.  #1 got the Sixers out in the open court early on and that led to a good number of easy baskets for the 7-6.  The only blemish for MCW last night was the 5 TOs.
	JaKarr Sampson, SG 24 MIN | 5-6 FG | 1-2 FT | 8 REB | 0 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 13 PTS | +26 +/- JaKarr got the start last night (never thought I would type that line again) and took advantage of the opportunity.  He scored a career-high 13 points and grabbed a career high 8 boards.

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Philadelphia 76ers

74

FinalRecap | Box Score

99

New Orleans Pelicans

	Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, PF 31 MIN | 6-13 FG | 2-3 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 14 PTS | -16 +/-Luc is a solid player, but I have come to realize that he is also a better than average defender.  He should be delay for an asset as soon as possible.  Maybe Embiid would go on a hunger strike after the trade and drop the 50+ lbs. he’s allegedly packed on.
	Robert Covington, SF 30 MIN | 2-11 FG | 2-2 FT | 6 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 6 PTS | -1 +/-I realize that NOP’s entire defensive scheme was built around stopping Cov and that may have impacted his shooting last night. Still, I felt he got a number of decent looks last night and simply didn’t convert.  Nights like these happen too often for Cov and thus I’m not sold that he is a keeper yet.
	Henry Sims, C 19 MIN | 4-9 FG | 6-8 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 14 PTS | -14 +/-Sims just punches the clock and most night delivers a more than respectable performance for Brown.  His 8 points in the 3rd Q is the only reason the Sixers weren’t trailing by 3o after that stanza. However, he too was helpless vs. Davis.
	Nerlens Noel, C 31 MIN | 1-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 1 TO | 2 PTS | -14 +/-See comments after the jump.
	Larry Drew II, PG 32 MIN | 2-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 4 TO | 4 PTS | -17 +/-Obviously he can’t shoot 2-9 every night and stay in this League, but I thought Drew did some nice things last night.  I especialy like the way he pushes the pace and his crossover on Eric Gordon and lay-in was a thing of beauty to watch.

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With 40 games remaining in Tank 2.0, it become obvious that the 76ers are not going to experience any Detroit Pistons-like push (9-3 in their last 12) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.  A roster that was built to lose, and has done so nicely, is now missing its key 6th man (Tony Wroten) for an undetermined amount of time.  Additionally, the starting power forward (Luc) will allegedly miss his third straight game tonight with a bruised knee.  Finally, the Sixers starting center (Noel) suddenly contracted a respiratory illness, could not play against the lowly New York Knicks on Wednesday and is questionable for tonight.

Still, the Sixers have collected 8 wins so far this season (4-6 in last 10 games) which is more victories than this scribe and most of the online “experts” dreamed Brett Brown’s team would haul in prior to the 2015 All-Star break.  However, with key players missing and a brutal upcoming schedule that features games — vs. TOR; @MEM; @ NOP; vs. DET; @ ATL; @ CLE and @ DEN — , it bears exploring just how bad the odds makers think this team might be.

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This edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” – Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews key upcoming 76ers games – features tonight’s opponent, the New Orleans 2-3 in their last five games and most likely will be without Jrue Holiday tonight, but still feature MVP candidate Anthony Davis.

After the jump, I’ll look a Fo’ key items for tonight’s game.  Additionally, we’ll get a little more insight into this New Orleans team the Sixers face tonight from our colleague Nick Lewellen at bourbonstreetshots.com, as Nick will answer Fo’ questions on his Pelicans from us here at Philadunkia.

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Philadelphia 76ers

84

FinalRecap | Box Score

100

Toronto Raptors

	Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, PF 30 MIN | 1-7 FG | 1-2 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 3 PTS | -16 +/-3 points and 1 board in 30 minutes of run. C’mon. His minutes should be flipped-flopped with Furkan’s so we can see what this kid is capable of doing with steady burn.
	Henry Sims, C 24 MIN | 4-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 7 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 8 PTS | -6 +/-Sims was back in the 1st-five last night and got off to a slow start (0 pts. in 1st Q). He rallied from that thanks to 6 poinst in the 3rd Q, but we know he’s capable of more.
	Nerlens Noel, C 39 MIN | 5-9 FG | 2-4 FT | 8 REB | 1 AST | 3 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 12 PTS | -19 +/-I thought this was one of #4’s best all-around games of the season.  Noel played with a great deal of energy and was aggressive on offense.  Noel’s follow slam of a KJ miss in the 2nd Q ignited a Sixers push in that quarter.  His skills are just so raw on the offensive end of the court, it becomes frustrating to watch.
	Michael Carter-Williams, PG 41 MIN | 12-25 FG | 4-8 FT | 7 REB | 4 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 4 TO | 29 PTS | -15 +/-MCW posted a season 29 points thanks to a blazing hot 1st half — 18 points (11 in 1st Q) on 8 of 14 shooting from the field.  Without Cov and TWroe in the lineup, #1 was extremely agressive in getting the ball to the cup all night.  In fact, he was a man on a mission.  The drive and flush in 2nd Q was simply beautiful.  If MCW doesn’t run into foul trouble during the 3rd Q there is no telling how many points he could have put up.
	K.J. McDaniels, SG 32 MIN | 2-10 FG | 5-6 FT | 8 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 4 BLK | 1 TO | 10 PTS | -14 +/-Yes, he had another block that will make the SC highlight package and posted a near double-double, but his shooting was awful and he looked tentative when he got the rock.  On a positive note, KJ hasnow scored in double digits in five of his last six games.

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Atlanta Hawks

105

Final Recap | Box Score

87

Philadelphia 76ers

	Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, PF 20 MIN | 1-5 FG | 4-6 FT | 0 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 7 PTS | +1It’s time to start answering phone calls (if there are any) on Embiid’s babysitter.
	Robert Covington, SF 32 MIN | 2-13 FG | 3-3 FT | 5 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 7 PTS | -20For the 2nd time in his last 5 games Cov registered single digit points and shot less than 16% from the field.  In his last 4 games #33 has hit on 8 of 30 3PAs (26%).
	Nerlens Noel, C 31 MIN | 1-4 FG | 0-2 FT | 6 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 2 PTS | -19Do you know how painful it is to watch an athletic 7-footer grab only 6 boards and score just 2 points in 31 minutes of run against basically Atlanta’s second unit?  I can tell you it is VERY painful.
	Michael Carter-Williams, PG 30 MIN | 8-13 FG | 3-3 FT | 9 REB | 4 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 5 TO | 20 PTS | -16MCW did not score his first points until there was 4:30 remaining in the 1st Q, but he still posted a near double-double night by getting to the rim for easy buckets. Still, his 4 assits vs. 5 TOs is a stat I DO NOT enjoy reading from my starting PG.
	K.J. McDaniels, SG 33 MIN | 5-9 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 4 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 14 PTS | -20After he drained a 3-ball and scored 5 points early in the 1st Q, and then put up another 5 points in the 2nd Q, I thought KJ was one his way to a huge night.  Unfortunately the jaw-dropping, baseline, two hand slam he executed in the 3rd Q was his only note worthy play in the 2nd half.

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It’s time for another edition of Philadunkia’s 4on4…

As a reminder, this Philadunkia question and answer series is “loosely based” on ESPN.com’s highly successful, NBA related series of posts titled “5on5″.  Our version of this genre of posts will ask 4 Philadunkia scribes to answer 4 topical, hot button questions about our Philadelphia 76ers.

Now you’re probably asking, “Why not simply stick with the “5on5″ format that ESPN.com uses?” 

Well as any great hoops coach will tell you — playing 4on4 is the best way to truly learn the game of basketball.

After the jump, Philadunkia scribes Jeff McMenamin, Carey Smith, Michael Kaskey-Blomain and Tyler Cook will examine four hot topic questions surrounding our 76ers.

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Milwaukee Bucks

97

FinalRecap | Box Score

77

Philadelphia 76ers

	Robert Covington, SF 33 MIN | 1-11 FG | 5-6 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 8 PTS | -17A 1- for 7 1st half did not get any better after the intermission. IMO #33 missed on a good deal of clean looks.
	Henry Sims, C 18 MIN | 1-8 FG | 1-1 FT | 5 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 3 PTS | -11At least Sims had the good sense to basically stop shotting after he too went 1-7 in the 1st half.
	Nerlens Noel, C 28 MIN | 6-10 FG | 1-2 FT | 5 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 2 BLK | 2 TO | 13 PTS | -17I actually thought Noel played a solid game last night and appeared to be more aggressive on offense. He was the only positive I could find during a dreadful 1st half for the Sixers.  Still there were three bunnies that he missed last night which had me throwing the remote.  Of special not was the follow slam he missed in the 2nd Q.
	Michael Carter-Williams, PG 31 MIN | 1-13 FG | 3-4 FT | 5 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 4 TO | 5 PTS | -18His first bucket did not come until the 6:20 mark of the 2nd Q and he probably should have just gone to the showers after that FGM. MCW has shooting nights like this too often and I am starting to question if he is a franchise level PG. My favorite shot of the night was the 3PA he air balled in the late 2nd Q.
	K.J. McDaniels, SG 30 MIN | 5-8 FG | 4-4 FT | 6 REB | 0 AST | 3 STL | 1 BLK | 5 TO | 14 PTS | -14KJ was 1 of only 3 Sixers who could find the bottom of the net last night and he also did a nice job on the boards. However, he scored 4 points in the 1st Q and then did not post a FG again until the mid-3rd Q.  The game was out of reach by that point.  He also comitted 5 TOs.

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This edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” – Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews key upcoming 76ers games – features tonight’s opponent, the Milwaukee Bucks who after a loss to the Suns last night in Milwaukee are playing .500 ball for the season (18-18) and will be without Jabari Parker (ACL – done for the season); Ersan Ilyasova (concussion) and Larry Sanders (personal drama) tonight.

After the jump, I’ll look a Fo’ key items for tonight’s game.  Additionally, we’ll get a little more insight into this Milwaukee team the Sixers face tonight from our colleague K L Chouinard at bucksketball.com, as KL will answer Fo’ questions on his Bucks from us here at Philadunkia.

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Cleveland Cavaliers

92

FinalRecap | Box Score

95

Philadelphia 76ers

	Nerlens Noel, PF 26 MIN | 2-9 FG | 2-2 FT | 6 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 2 TO | 6 PTS | -7At times last night Noel looked like a baby deer playing in traffic. That’s the best I can muster here.
	Robert Covington, SF 39 MIN | 4-9 FG | 4-5 FT | 6 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 16 PTS | +3“Cov” hit several key threes during the 76ers big push in the 3rd Q and was a steady influence on offense througout the 2nd half (11 points after halftime).  At $1million per year, this guy is an absolute steal by Hinkie.  Until of course he trades Covington for a future asset.
	Henry Sims, C 24 MIN | 6-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 7 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 4 TO | 12 PTS | +4A slow start by Sims (2 pts in 1st half) had me worried, but he played steady ball after halftime and posted 6 pts in 4th Q. Included in that 4th Q stretch was a huge jumper that tied the game again at 90 and a big DReb on Matthew Dellavedova’s second missed FTA.
	Michael Carter-Williams, PG 42 MIN | 8-19 FG | 1-1 FT | 6 REB | 13 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 18 PTS | +1Carter-Williams scored 9 of his 18 points and recorded 5 of his 13 assists in the 4th Q.  Additionally, he only turned the ball over 1 time all night and had the same number of boards as Noel (6). This is the type of play we need from our starting PG.  But I hate that he deferred to Wroten on the final posession of the night (more on that later).
	K.J. McDaniels, SG 32 MIN | 5-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 3 TO | 12 PTS | +11According to my notes, KJ scored 2 points in the 1st Q and 8 in the 2nd Q (2 threes) and looked to be headed for a big night. However he then simply went MIA in the 2nd half.

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