Sixers Left Feeling Ejected

By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)

Only 3-point underdogs heading into the game, the Sixers had their best opportunity of the season to enter the win column against an Orlando Magic team playing its 5th game in 7 nights. Despite starting the game ice-cold from the outside, Philadelphia managed to hang around thanks to the scoring prowess of Jahlil Okafor (19 points), who ate DeWayne Dedmon’s lunch in the first half on a variety of next-level post moves. This spin move he threw on him from the baseline was particularly pleasing to the eye:

Circle button https://t.co/8ViXd9c6SJ

— Michael K-B (@therealmikekb) November 8, 2015

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsUnforuntately, with just under two minutes left in the third quarter and the Sixers down 6, one sequence changed the complexion of the rest of the game. Nerlens Noel caught an elbow from professional cheap-shot artist Jason Smith, and briefly retaliated with what looked like the beginnings of a headlock around Smith’s neck. 

Haven’t been around to watch the games tonight, but @WakeWorkWake tells me Nerlens Noel got ejected for This?!?!?! https://t.co/1jFQhkgWgy — Dave Loughran (@Loughy_D) November 8, 2015

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Although, he quickly realized what he was doing and pulled away, Noel was (rightly) ejected from the game as it qualified as a flagrant-two foul. It hadn’t been the best game offensively for Nerlens, who tallied just 2 points on 1-4 shooting and committed 4 turnovers before being ejected. However, after his departure, it became even easier for the Magic to score in the paint at will. In particular, Elfrid Payton had a field day, easily blowing by T.J. McConnell time and again and encountering no resistance at the rim. From a guy not known for his scoring, Payton’s 20 points on 8-10 shooting was tough for the Sixers to overcome.

Still, Philadelphia did battle until the end, thanks in large part to another great game shooting the basketball by Isaiah Canaan. Canaan scored a game-high 23 points on 6-12 shooting from behind the arc, seeming much more comfortable now that he’s playing almost strictly as a two-guard, something Brett Brown eluded to after the game:

"Him coming off the bench, playing free as a 2-guard, he's got an anvil off his chest." –Sixers coach Brett Brown, on Isaiah Canaan

— Christopher A. Vito (@ChrisVito) November 8, 2015

However, it wasn’t enough for the Sixers, who hurt themselves with poor free throw shooting. The team shot only 14-26 from the foul line on the game, including 2-6 in the final minute-plus of the game when they could have made it a one-possession contest. Big Jah could have had an even better night if he had hit more than 5 of his 10 shots from the charity stripe, but of course, this has always been a problem for him since his Duke days.

Now 0-6 on the season, it’s tough to see when the Sixers might grab that elusive first win of the season. Their next 4 games come against Chicago, Toronto, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio. For a team fighting hard and fighting themselves in most of these games down the stretch, you’d hope they eventually put it altogether for at least one night.