Sixers head coach Brett Brown was asked before Thursday night's game against Brooklyn how his team matches up against the Nets, considering these teams could play each other in the first round. Brown didn't mince words.
"Dangerous," Brown said. "Completely dangerous."
It was noble of Brown to admit the Nets talented guards give the Sixers problems. However, that trend ceased for at least one night, as the 76ers found a way to slow down D'Angelo Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie in a 123-110 win at Wells Fargo Center. The win snapped the Sixers two-game losing streak.
Here observations from win No. 48 for your 76ers.
Headband Embiid Dominant From The Jump
For the first time this season, unless I'm mistaken, Joel Embiid dawned a headband. And this wasn't just any headband. It was one of those ninja headbands that Jimmy Butler sometimes wears (which he did on Thursday as well).
Embiid should stick with this look at least for the foreseeable future. He was sensational, scoring 39 points with 13 rebounds and six assists. He was 12-of-20 from the floor and scored 16 points in the first quarter, including going a perfect three-of-three from distance.
"I just felt like it and then told Jimmy and Mike (Scott) to wear it too and they did," Embiid said. "…It was great. The way I started off the game by making all those three's it kind of makes me want to keep it, so we're going to see how it goes."
While the headband could be lucky, it's worthy noting that Embiid had a scoreless fourth quarter in their loss to the Magic earlier this week. Knowing his competitiveness, that could've fueled his bounce back performances as well. He was the best player on the floor, by a landslide.
"We might see them in the playoffs in the first round, so it was going to kind of see where we're at, especially coming after those two losses," Embiid said.
-- HEADBAND VIBES --#HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/SeATLRLmLS
— * - Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 28, 2019Russell and Dinwiddie Silenced
The Sixers were 1-2 against the Nets coming into the game because of how well their guards utilize pick-and-rolls. That changed Thursday as Russell and Dinwiddie were held to 13 points a piece. Russell was colder than ice, going six-of-19 from the floor. Brown credited Ben Simmons for his defense.
"Let's face it, it's a pick-and-roll sport," Brown said. "It's grown to be a pick-and-roll sport and so you better be able to guard one. With his size and with the effort that he applied tonight, he was special."
Sixers Shot The Three Ball Well
The NBA may be a "pick-and-roll sport," as Brown puts it, but it's also a three-point game. That's no secret. If you're making a bunch of three's, you'll probably win unless your defense is flat out putrid. Sixers were 12-of-25 from distance, compared to Brooklyn going 11-of-32. Sixers made five more field goals and two more foul shots.
Those numbers add up.
JJ Redick led the way with four three-pointers, scoring 18 on the night.
Speaking of 3's … Crowd Loves Bobi 3
The Sixers bench has been brutal lately, but that wasn't the case against the Nets. Boban Marjanovic contributed 16 points, including his second carer three-pointer, which jacked up the hometown fans.
---- @BobanMarjanovic ----@budweiserusa | #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/xNH03HRh0N
— * - Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 29, 2019Scott wasn't bad either, scoring 11 while going a perfect three-of-three from three-point range.
Refs Were Whistle Happy
I know officiating is difficult, but the referees aren't doing their job if fans and players need to constantly complain about them.
There was a point in the second quarter when the refs called three technical fouls in three different instances, two on the Sixers and one of the Nets. No one wants to see games get held up like that, and it's not like Embiid, Butler or Russell were getting in someone's face.
Ben Simmons later got hit with a tech after fouling out with 3:11 to go in the fourth quarter. He subsequently was ejected.
Back off the whistles, fellas.
Tobias Slump
Tobias Harris has been in a funk lately, scoring less than 20 points in his last three games, this one his least productive, finishing with only six on three-of-eight.
Frosty Frosty Frosty
Fans not only left Wells Fargo Center happy because the Sixers won, but the Frosty Freeze worked three times in the second half, twice thanks to Rodions Kurucs and once Russell. Frosties and fries for everyone!
Howie Season
The Eagles broke news during the game by trading for running back Jordan Howard. Howie Roseman just happened to be in attendance.
Do you think the deal with agreed upon prior to his arrival, or do you think he made the trade in Wells Fargo Center? "Howie Season" is never boring.
Billy Lange Bell Ringer
Saint Joseph's University is hiring 76ers assistant coach Billy Lange to replace Phil Martelli. Brown thinks Lange and St. Joe's are a perfect fit. Embiid also spoke very highly about Lange and his family.
Jim O'Brien will return to the first row of the bench to step into Lange's responsibilities, but Thursdays was a nice sendoff for Lange.
He got a shoutout on the PA system during a timeout and was the 76ers ceremonial bell ringer postgame.
RING OUR BELL COACH LANGE pic.twitter.com/3dNq40qOqh
— * - Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 29, 2019You can criticize Brown all you want for some of his end of game decisions, but you can't deny that he's built a tight knit, healthy and wonderful program that many people love being a pat of.
