Ish Smith Asks, ‘What’s a King to a God?’

By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)

Philadelphia 110, Sacramento 105 – Box Score

In regard to the above headline, not to blaspheme, but Sixers fans have to feel like their prayers have been answered with the return of Ish Smith. Once again, the well-traveled point guard carried the Sixers, dropping 18 points and 9 assists to move the team to 2-1 since Sam Hinkie Jerry Colangelo brought him back to Philadelphia in a trade with the Pelicans. Not only can Sixers fans rejoice in the simple taste of victory, but the outcome actually helped their future draft prospects due to the pick swap with Sacramento.

Not only is Ish getting the job done himself, but his Lazarus effect on Nerlens Noel continued Wednesday night, with the flattop rocking the rim for 20 points on 8-12 shooting. Noel absolutely loves playing with Ish, gushing about him in the post-game interview with Molly French and just smiling ear-to-ear whenever the two came off the court together. And what’s not to love, with the two connecting on so many lobs that they might have to petition the Clippers for Lob City naming rights.

The last of many oops came with less than 4 minutes left, after the Kings had cut the Sixers lead to just 2 points. Although, Sacramento was within striking distance most of the way, Philadelphia admirably held on to the lead throughout the second half, more than a rare occurrence for Brett Brown’s squad:

76ers had trailed in 2nd half in 69 straight games entering today

But they didn't trail in 2nd half in win at Kings tonight

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 31, 2015

Although he got to the line 20 times, DeMarcus Cousins was mostly held in check by the Sixers big-man tandem of Noel and Jahlil Okafor, scoring below his average with 21 points. Philadelphia attacked Cousins on the interior all game, eventually resulting in his fouling out with just inside of 2 minutes remaining, another huge boost for the Sixers in closing out the contest. His 6th foul was surprisingly the only time on the evening Cousins didn’t throw a fit when a call went against him.

Aside from Marco Belinelli getting hot (28 points), the Sixers did a good job on the Kings’ outside shooters. Jerami Grant had a tremendous game defensively playing as a stretch four the whole way, recording 5 blocks. Grant even went 2-3 from behind the arc himself in what was a great all-around night for the second-year forward.

The Sixers next have the Lakers Friday night, in a matchup where each team will shockingly be going for their first 2-game winning streak of the season. With that on the line, the battle for the first overall pick between the two worst records in the league, and Kobe’s last game against the Sixers, there will be plenty on the line.

Other Game Notes:

• I felt bad for Carl Landry that he couldn’t get into the game against his former club. Sacramento only ever had one traditional big in the game, so Brett Brown responded in kind, only playing Noel and Okafor at the 5, and then Richaun Holmes for a token 5 minutes.
• One guy who did get to play against his former team, but maybe wishes he hadn’t, was Nik Stauskas. How Stauskas completely forget how to shoot is the biggest mystery of the season? Not only was he 1-6 from three (1-7 overall), but his shots weren’t even close. Terrible rotation, barely drawing iron (and not in the good way). With Hollis Thompson leaving the game with a corneal abrasion after a hot start in this game, things are looking dire on the wings for Philadelphia.