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After a big win against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night, the Philadelphia 76ers hit the road to face a Ja Morant-less Grizzlies team. Heading into the matchup, the Sixers looked to be in a position to build momentum against an injured squad, but that was not the case.
Despite being without their star player, Memphis took care of business in blowout fashion. When all was said and done, the Grizzlies came away with a 126-91 victory. Here are some observations from the matchup.
76ers Observations
1) Tyrese Maxey looking like his old self
Right before tip-off, news broke that the 76ers would be without two of their starters. Seth Curry (shoulder soreness) and Joel Embiid (rib soreness) were late scratches after going through warmups.
Offense had to come from somewhere, and Tyrese Maxey took that mantle upon himself. The second-year guard did all he could to provide a scoring punch. He finished the game as the team's leading scorer with 23 points, connecting on nine of his 17 shot attempts.
This performance drew glimpses of the Maxey we saw when the roster was depleted due to health and safety protocol. Since being fully healthy, he has struggled to find the proper balance between scorer and facilitator.
Maxey's play has been up-and-down as of late, and he desperately needed a strong showing like this. Now, it will be on him to carry this strong play forward, as his scoring is essential on a nightly basis no matter who is in the lineup.
2) Turnover issues
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One glaring factor in the Sixers' downfall on Monday was turnovers. They coughed the ball up 15 times, which resulted in 18 points for the Grizzlies. Of the ten players who took the floor for the 76ers, five committed two or more turnovers.
The Grizzlies are a team you do not want to give the ball away to. They are a young team that is at their best when in transition. Turning the ball over with such frequency not only gives them extra possessions but allows them to get down the floor before the defense gets a chance to set.
When playing on the road and without two key players, you need to play a near-perfect game to have a chance to steal a victory. This team-wide mishandling of the basketball allowed Memphis the opportunity to blow the doors off, and they did just that.
3) Embiid, Curry's absence too much to overcome
This goes without saying, but the Sixers are a much different team when Embiid is out of the lineup. Now more than ever, they have relied on the All-Star center to lead the charge on both ends of the floor. Multiple wins in their recent stretch have solely come from Embiid's ability to elevate his game in the big moments.
Curry is another important piece for the 76ers this season. The sharpshooting guard is having the best season of his career and has erupted for multiple performances this year. His presence alone provides a much-needed element for the Sixers' offense.
In the end, being without this duo was too much to overcome. Not only are they two of the team's top scorers, but their two-man game is a go-to for Doc Rivers when the team needs a basket. The supporting cast has stepped up and delivered in the past but came up short against the Grizzlies.
