Today marks the first Sixers game since the world lost one-of-a-kind legend, Kobe Bean Bryant. I will always remember where I was when the news broke, as I’m sure many will. The NBA and all those affected by Bryant are doing their best to move on from the tragic accident and carry the spirit that Bryant instilled in many. The Sixers and General Manager Elton Brand expressed that the team along with the Warriors will pay special tribute to the Philly native. What exactly will that tribute look like? Well, I suppose we won’t find out until just before the game.
Kobe and his daughter Gigi, along with the lives of teammates, parents, and the pilot will be on the minds of both organizations along with the fans but the Sixers must do what they can to focus on getting the win tonight. Play every last second like Kobe would, put your blood sweat and tears into this game and make him proud.
Keys to the Game:
Slow down D-Loading
D’Angelo Russell is tearing it up lately on offense. In his last 10 games, he has averaged 26 points, 7.1 assists, and 41.3% from beyond the arc. There is plenty of potential for him to absolutely go off tonight which means that he needs to be the defensive focus.
The Warriors don’t have a ton of offensive talent so the Sixers can afford to have Ben Simmons focus on defending Russell. Make nothing easy, Simmons has been the Sixers defensive player of the year so if anyone can slow down D-Lo it’s him.
Keeping Russell in check is a must and would then put the pressure on the rest of the Warriors offense. Alec Burks and Eric Paschall are certainly talented but against a tough Philly defense, they won’t win.
Rule the Paint
The Sixers have a golden opportunity against a weak defensive team to pound the ball inside. As weak as the Warriors are inside they are even worse now after trading away Willie Cauley-Stein. It’s not that trading Cauley-Stein was the wrong decision but it was the next move in the Warriors tanking strategy.
Joel Embiid may be out but you have a chance for Ben Simmons, Al Horford, and Tobias Harris to dominate. You may not necessarily think of Harris as a paint player but he’s made an effort to drive and score inside more often this season and it’s paying off.
Expect Ben Simmons to own tonight’s game, there is not a single Warrior defender who can slow him down let alone stop him. Simmons needs to keep the aggression he’s shown since Embiid has been out. The Sixers have a great chance tonight especially if the team is aggressive inside.
Prediction
The Sixers are at home and playing the worst team in the NBA standings unless they suffer an utter collapse they should walk away with a win.
FINAL SCORE: Warriors 113 – Sixers 125
Tip-off is at 7:00 PM EST and you can catch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia or if you like, listen on 97.5 FM the Fanatic. I recommend at least watching early on so you get the chance to view what the Sixers and Warriors have in store to honor Kobe.
Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
