Bryce Harper dominated the headlines Thursday, but the Sixers also ended a 19-game losing streak against the Thunder with a 108-104 win in Oklahoma City. This was the first time they beat the Thunder since November 15, 2008.
While the Sixers were missing Joel Embiid, the Thunder were without their All-Star starter in Paul George. That being said, it was still an extremely quality, and somewhat surprising win considering how shorthanded they were in the front court.
Here are my observations.
Tobi Steps Up
In the spirit of getting lucrative contracts, Tobias Harris showed why he's worthy of a big time deal with the Sixers this upcoming off-season. He scored a Sixers-high 32 points on 11-of-19 from the floor and five-of-seven from three-point range.
Harris, along with Mike Scott (nine points thanks to three 3's) and Boban Marjanovic, have been worth the price Elton Brand paid to the Clippers for those three players. Harris is a talented scorer who's capable of putting up close to 30 a night, an excellent shooter and someone who fits the Sixers offense very well with his style of play.
That was very evident Thursday in Oklahoma City.
Butler Delivers
Jimmy Butler's contract is likely coming to a close as well when the season ends, meaning the Sixers will also need to make a decision about him.
Butler is an interesting case. This media members was adamant earlier this season that based on what the Sixers gave up for Butler, it's essential they retain him long term. That opinion could easily be swayed the other way by the play of Harris, but it's not.
Butler is often too selfless, passing up shots he should take so teammates of his can fire away lower percentage looks. But, even when it seems like Butler isn't drilling buzzer beaters or scoring close to 30, he's doing a lot of other things right, such as scoring 20 points Thursday, to go along with eight rebounds and eight assists.
He's a key part of what makes the Sixers starting five so talented, and he's a nice second option at point guard when Ben Simmons isn't handling the ball. Speaking of Simmons, he recorded his ninth triple-double, scoring 11 points, with 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
Excellent Ball Movement
The Sixers finished with 33 assists as part of 42 made shots, but their ball movement in the first half, and especially the first quarter, was stupendous. By halftime, they dished out 21 assists on 25 shots. After the first quarter, it was 13 assists on 16 shots.
Simply put, that's phenomenal. The Sixers will be tough to beat in the postseason if they're consistently moving the ball like that.
Thunder Runs and Sloppy Play Down the Stretch
The Sixers led by as much as 16 in the first half, but Oklahoma City made significant runs in the third and fourth quarters, even at one point tying the score at 93 with 5:06 remaining.
At that point the Sixers went on a 10-0 run, but Oklahoma City made it interesting in the closing minutes, in part thanks to sloppy play from the Sixers.
That can't happen, regardless of how well they moved the ball or played for the majority of the game.
Luckily for them, Russell Westbrook had an off night, taking some bruising hits physically, while also shooting eight-of-24 from the field for 23 points. The Thunder often lose when Westbrook takes that many shots.
No Embiid, No Problem….For Now
According to Philly.com's Keith Pompey, Brett Brown said before Thursday's win that Embiid's status for Saturday's nationally televised home game against the Warriors is "still completely up in the air."
Brown said "we're still learning more."
Embiid has missed four games in a row due to left knee tendinitis. Prior to this stretch, he missed four games all season.
It's a shame that Embiid could miss five straight games with what Brown referred to as "common" soreness a little over a week ago. It appears his situation could've been handled much better, by either giving him less minutes in certain situations this season, or keeping his out of the meaningless All-Star Game.
Now, his status for their big game against Golden State is "up in the air." Of course, things can always change, but as of Friday morning, that doesn't sound very good.
