Sixers player grades: Kevin Durant proves too much for Sixers in Nets win
The Philadelphia 76ers returned home on Friday after picking up a win in the season opener on the road and they were looking to make a statement against one of the league’s more talented teams. Still missing Ben Simmons, the Sixers battled the Brooklyn Nets and things started well, but Kevin Durant was too much to handle.
Durant scored 29 points with 14 rebounds and 12 assists as the Nets outlasted the Sixers 114-109 on the road in Philadelphia. LaMarcus Aldridge was big down the stretch as well as he had 23 points to help Brooklyn overcome big nights from Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid, and Seth Curry in order to come away victorious.
Philadelphia was led by Harris with 23 points and seven rebounds, Curry also added 23, and Emiid had 19 and eight rebounds. Tyrese Maxey did add 15 points while Furkan Korkmaz had 10 and Andre Drummond added four points and 10 rebounds.
Here are the grades from a tough loss:
Tyrese Maxey: B+
The second-year guard was challenged defensively in a big way in this one. There were plenty of times where he was matched up with James Harden and he did not back down as the little spark plug from Kentucky was able to make an impact. He was energetic on the defensive end, even stripping Harden to start the third quarter, and he leaked out and ran every time he possibly could in order to get transition points. He made some huge shots in the fourth quarter to help Philadelphia.
Seth Curry: A
The Sixers got off to a good start offensively and Curry was a big reason why. He did not hesitate on any open looks from deep and that started him off on the right foot. That then led to the veteran out of Duke knocking down tough fallaway jumpers which led to him getting in a groove. When Curry is knocking down triples and not hesitating on anything, it enhances Philadelphia’s offense in a big way.
Danny Green: D+
This was a better start than the season opener in New Orleans for Green. He drilled two triples in the first quarter, one was a pull-up in transition shot, and he was looking like the regular Green to start. That is until he air-balled two shots in the fourth quarter that were not particularly close. That was a rough ending for him after a solid start.
Tobias Harris: A-
The way this guy just quietly goes about his work is astonishing. One wouldn’t think Harris was doing much in a game, then you look up at the scoreboard and he has an efficient 20+ point game. There is a lot to like about his game and he showed all of it off in this one. He was able to cut off the ball to get easy layups and he knocked down some transition 3s as well. However, he missed a shot at the bucket that would have given Philadephia the lead back late.
Joel Embiid: A-
The big fella did an impressive job starting this game off as a passer. He was consistently finding his teammates in the right spots and there were a few instances of him even running the break. In the half-court, the Nets had no answer for him. Embiid chewed up and spit out every defender Brooklyn tried throwing at him. Obviously, he has the size advantage and he did what he is supposed to do against the smaller Nets. One point of concern, however, is the fact that he was rubbing his knee a bit. He may need a game or two off as he was settling a bit at times.
Furkan Korkmaz: B+
Listen, the point Furk thing looks like it will be just fine despite the obvious doubts. Korkmaz was not as explosive in this one as he was in New Orleans, but what he did do was continue to be solid with the basketball and not turn it over. With the Sixers still wondering what’s going on with Simmons while also still missing Shake Milton, this is a very good development here in the early going.
Georges Niang: C-
Niang had a tough time making an impact in this one. He did not shoot the ball well nor did he register a rebound or an assist. He did do some solid things on the defensive end, however, as he was able to get the bench unit into their spots on that end.
Matisse Thybulle: C+
Once again, Thybulle comes off the bench and he becomes a menace on the defensive end. The third-year guard from Washington got a couple of deflections and his length clearly bothered Harden on a few drives. It is still a struggle offensively though as he passed up a few open looks. He did, at least, continue to run the floor and rim run when the time called for it.
Andre Drummond: A
The Andre Drummond experience is a wild ride. On one possession, he is grabbing rebounds and pushing the break. On the next possession, he is attempting behind-the-back passes as if he’s Magic Johnson in the flesh. Either way, he continues to show his value as a backup to Embiid. He had a clutch tip-in in the fourth and he looks like he is going to make a big impact here in Philadelphia.
Isaiah Joe: D
The second-year guard is still learning how to get his shots off against real defense. He obviously was great in the preseason, but that isn’t real basketball. Through two games, he is learning how to find open looks within the flow of the offense. He only played four minutes in this one.
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