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” It is well within our reach, immediately, to turn the switch. We have to have an instant paradigm switch and an admittance we cant afford to choose and choose. The previous 2 games, we have done that. I give credit to Indiana and tonight to the Spurs … but in general, it aint going to get it done. Its not who we are, and it requires to be fixed, and repaired it will be.”
After letting T.J. Warren rating 53 points on Saturday, the Sixers allowed DeMar DeRozan to score 30 on Monday, and Rudy Gay added 24 points off the bench.
” We got to do a much better task,” Joel Embiid stated. “We wish to be the very best defensive group in the league, so we need to simply take the challenge. Its not simply the 4th quarter. Its the entire game. The last two games, we have not been able to keep our man in front of us, and I need to do a much better task of protecting the rim and making certain I can correct some mistakes.”
The truth that this conversation was being had after the game was hard to believe, offered the skill space between the Spurs and 76ers on a regular day. Plus, with the Spurs down several key players because of injury and on the 2nd half of a back-to-back, that space was even bigger.
After Philadelphia finally took control of the game in the third quarter when Joel Embiid, who ended up with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 5 helps, started asserting himself, it seemed that order had been restored, however the Spurs roared back in the fourth quarter with a 40-22 run to take a four-point lead with 90 seconds to go.
Eventually, San Antonios lead was whittled to 2 with 10.4 seconds staying and the Sixers inbounding the ball. With the Spurs sending a double-team to Embiid in the post, Milton– who on Saturday both played improperly and got in a battle with Embiid between the 2nd and first quarters– was left all alone and calmly drained what turned out to be the winning 3-pointer, conserving Philadelphia from what would have been a second straight humiliating loss.
… He wasnt guarded, they threw him the ball, and he didnt believe. And the grace and grace he goes about his business with was reflected in that moment. I believed he was excellent tonight.”
Both took to social media after Mondays success to celebrate if there were any concerns about Milton and Embiid not getting along after their tiff Saturday.
For San Antonio, it was a squashing loss on a night that might have seen the Spurs move within one video game of the Memphis Grizzlies for the 8th playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Spurs are attempting to make the playoffs for a 23rd consecutive season.
” Everybody is ill in the stomach,” Spurs guard Dejounte Murray stated. “We fought so hard, and we had that video game in our hands.”
Tim BontempsESPN
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.– For the 2nd straight video game, the Philadelphia 76ers appeared to have a video game in hand through three quarters.
The fourth quarter took place.
After quiting 46 points in the final duration and losing in sensational style to the Indiana Pacers in their very first video game Saturday, Philadelphia permitted the San Antonio Spurs to drop 43 on them in the 4th Monday, just to be bailed out by a Shake Milton 3-pointer with 6.1 seconds to go and escape with a 132-130 triumph.
” I think it stinks,” Sixers coach Brett Brown said afterward of his teams lackluster fourth quarters. “I believe its not anything that our company believe in or discuss. We were very lucky to win tonight. In two closeout durations, against Indiana it was 46, tonight it was 43 … thats not going to get anything of any importance done.
” I believe it stinks,” Sixers coach Brett Brown said later of his groups dull fourth quarters. The previous 2 games, we have done that. I offer credit to Indiana and tonight to the Spurs … but in basic, it aint going to get it done. Its the entire game. The last two games, we have not been able to keep our guy in front of us, and I have to do a much better task of protecting the rim and making sure I can correct some mistakes.”
