The Sixers‘ six-game win streak has come to an end after a 103-96 loss to the New York Knicks. The Sixers had a depleted team with major players sidelined; Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle, and Isaiah Joe out due to health and safety protocols and Ben Simmons still out for personal matters.
The Sixers Fought Hard
The Sixers were no doubt the underdogs coming into this game. With a shorthanded roster and a slow first half, things were not looking good for the Sixers going into halftime down 14 points. The team looked fatigued and just could not seem to get the ball to fall in the right place. Once the third quarter commenced, we saw a revived and rejuvenated Sixers team.
The Sixers came into the third quarter with a hunger to keep their win streak alive. The Knicks are a physically tough team, and for the Sixers to come back and shrink the lead to one just shows how gritty this team is. Despite ending the game with a loss, this team should be proud of their ability to fight back and give the Knicks a run for their money.
The Sixers this season are proving their doubters wrong. With a drama-filled start to the season, the Sixers were overlooked as top contenders for the East. Games like tonight, though with outcomes that fans wish were different, should be looked at in a positive light. This roster tonight deserves major brownie points for their determination and pushing through the fatigue after a jam-packed schedule.
No Answer for Randle
Julius Randle is proving that his name deserves some respect. Randle showed that he is a dominant offensive player with an impressive double-double that included 31 points and 12 rebounds. Randle played with grit and put his newfound shooting abilities on display. Shooting 50% from three tonight, Randle wasn’t afraid to shoot the ball and get his hands dirty.
Julius Randle is putting up impressive numbers this season, averaging 21.6 PPG, 10.9 RPG per game. This season, Randle has become the guy New York has been looking for.
Drummond Made History
Andre Drummond has never been one to shy away from a rebound, and tonight he made sure he got his dues. With a monstrous 25 rebounds, Andre Drummond is the first 76ers player in a game since Charles Barkley back in 1987. Averaging 8.9 rebounds per game coming off the bench, Drummond is showing the Sixers that he is the better backup option than Dwight Howard was last year.
The Sixers look to get back on track against the reigning champs, the Milwaukee Bucks, tomorrow in Philly at 7:30 PM.
