Anemic Offense Dooms Sixers in Indiana

By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)

Whatever your feelings on the moves the Sixers made at the trade deadline, at least you could say that with the addition of some perimeter shooting, the offense looked to be improved. That is, until Sunday evening. In a game that while not threatening to be an ESPN Instant Classic, was at least close, the Sixers went the final 6:48 without scoring a single point, allowing the Pacers to pull away for an easy victory.

Really the offensive struggles began with the unfortunate departure of Robert Covington. After appearing to be pushed while making a lay-in at the rim (no foul was called), Covington collided with a chair behind the basket and left game with what the team reported as a right elbow contusion. In the 15 minutes following Big Shot Bob’s injury, the Sixers scored just 12 points. Covington still finished the game as the team’s leading scorer, recording 12 points on 5-11 shooting.

Another big reason for the Sixers’ offensive woes was the stout play of Pacers center Roy Hibbert on the back line. Drinking what Malik Rose referred to as the ‘Sixer elixir’, where a struggling player rejuvenates his games against the Sixers, Hibbert finishing with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks. One play perfectly encapsulated the Sixers’ night when Hibbert stonewalled Thomas Robinson at the rim and stood staring him down as T-Rob crumpled to the floor. No word from Adam Silver on whether the Sixer elixir violates the league’s drug policy.

Despite the overall disappointment in the effort, there were some positives to take away from Sunday’s defeat. Nerlens Noel wasn’t great offensively (2-8 from the field, but did manage his second-straight double-double with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Most importantly, he finished a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line, continuing to display an improved stroke at the charity stripe. It’s crucial for any big man to be competent shooting free throws to stay on the floor in crunch time, so this is a huge recent development for Noel.

The other player who was a difference maker for the Sixers (and I can’t believe I’m saying this) was reserve point guard Ish Smith. With Isaiah Canaan seemingly unable to beat his man off the dribble, even off the pick-and-roll, Smith entered the game and provided a spark in both the first and third quarters. In the first period of play, Smith tallied 9 points on perfect 4-4 shooting, using his admittedly spectacular speed to get to the rim at will. There was even one play where the Pacers made a basket, but Smith still beat the Pacers down the floor for a lay-up on the other end. After getting the start to begin the second half, Smith began kicking out to teammates after the Pacers defense collapsed on him in the lane, recording 4 assists in the third period alone. Ish finished the game with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, but I think it says more about Canaan that Smith has looked like such a clear upgrade the last couple games.

Big picture, the loss was good for the Sixers as following the Knicks’ win Saturday, Philadelphia finds itself just a half-game away from the worst record in the league and those sweet, sweet extra lottery balls. The Thunder also defeated the Lakers yesterday, which although it’s bad for the Lakers pick, is another step closer to the Sixers getting that Thunder first-rounder this season. The Sixers will be back in action tomorrow at home against the Raptors, presumably without Rob Covington and definitely without JaVale McGee, who reached a buy-out agreement with the team last last night. We’ll always have that one time you threw the ball through the basket on a dunk attempt, JaVale.