Sixers Slink to Defeat in Charlotte

By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)

Charlotte 100, Philadelphia 91 – Box Score

It took three excruciating long years, but Sam Hinkie’s dream of having the best odds heading into the NBA draft lottery has finally been realized. The Sixers dropped their 11th straight game Friday night in Charlotte; just 6 games remain for Philadelphia to try and avoid tying the worst record in NBA history.

The majority of the game was the sort of ho-hum affair Philadelphia games have become in these doldrums of the season. 37-year-old Elton Brand is one of the few guys that looks like he gives a damn, even picking up a technical foul arguing a non-foul call. Old School Chevy turned back the clock with his first double-double since the 2013-14 season, recording 13 points on 5-9 shooting and 11 rebounds.

Behind his hard work and hot shooting from Hollis Thompson (5-9 from three for 17 points), the Sixers went on a surge to cut the Charlotte lead to 4 with 5 minutes remaining in the game. Unfortunately, the Hornets quickly answered with a 10-0 run to put the game away, highlighted by a pair of Kemba Walker threes. Walker dominated the Sixers yet again, scoring a game-high 27 points on 4-9 shooting from behind the arc, adding 11 rebounds as well.

Even though he’s been putting up some decent scoring numbers as a starter (16 points Friday), I’ve had more than enough of the Carl Landry center experiment-by necessity. Landry is a turnstile down low (54-34 edge on points in the paint for Charlotte), and almost died at the hands of Marvin Williams:

OH. MY. MARVIN. https://t.co/vyDZ88at9s

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) April 2, 2016

For short portions of the game, the Sixers did receive some rim protection in the form of Jerami Grant, who tallied 17 points, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in just 20 minutes of action. The minutes restriction in his first game back from injury came into effect when Brett Brown didn’t have Grant out there in the pivotal last half of the fourth quarter. Still, it was terrific to have somebody back out there for Philadelphia capable of putting up highlight-reel-worthy plays.

Yeah, @JeramiGrant back. 🖐🏿 (CSN) https://t.co/CPXa3YBCyG

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 1, 2016

The Sixers have a quick turnaround, as they’re back at it against Indiana Saturday night. Now that the worst record is secured, Philadelphia can turn it on and grab that elusive 10th win (they likely won’t).