3 greatest takeaways for Sixers following robust loss to Timberwolves

[ad_1] PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers dropped their eleventh straight recreation on Saturday after they fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-109. The Sixers gave the Timberwolves all they may deal with, however Minnesota celebrity Anthony Edwards was an excessive amount of to deal with ultimately.

The Sixers did rally and held a lead within the fourth quarter, however the Timberwolves used a gradual weight loss program of Edwards down the stretch, and the Sixers could not reply. Edwards scored 37 factors with 18 coming within the fourth quarter. He knocked down 4 triples within the ultimate body together with a tricky fallaway 3-pointer on the wing over closely contested protection.

The Sixers obtained 28 factors from Quentin Grimes, 16 factors and eight assists from Jared Butler whereas Lonnie Walker IV added 18 factors and 5 assists off the bench. Guerschon Yabusele had 19 factors, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and three steals whereas Adem Bona pulled down 10 rebounds.

Listed here are the largest takeaways from the loss:

Grimes' 4th quarter takeover Positive, Edwards stole the present and he was phenomenal for Minnesota, however Grimes had himself an evening within the fourth. He scored 17 of his 28 factors within the ultimate quarter and knocked down 5 triples on six makes an attempt within the fourth. It was a stark distinction from the primary half when he scored solely two factors on 0-for-2 taking pictures. When contemplating the items sitting on the sidelines, there was no approach the Sixers had been going to have an opportunity to win this recreation except Grimes awoke and he knew that. It led to an enormous second half for him as Philadelphia placed on a robust effort.

"I simply knew I needed to come out within the second half and be extra aggressive," Grimes defined. "Within the first half, they had been loading up fairly heavy on my drives, and I used to be attempting to make the appropriate play. Had a few boneheaded turnovers so I used to be simply attempting to be, within the second half, come out with the mindset to be in assault mode, attempt to do no matter I can to assist the workforce win at that time."

Edwards downs the Sixers As talked about, Edwards was terrific for the Timberwolves. This can be a recreation Minnesota needed to have because it continues its battle out of the play-in match and attempt to clinch one of many six assured playoff spots within the Western Convention. The Wolves are locked in a battle with the Clippers and the Grizzlies to get into the playoffs in order that they could not afford to lose this recreation. Regardless of the Sixers persevering with to battle, they do not have a more in-depth. Edwards is that man for Minnesota and he confirmed it on Saturday.

Yabusele mentioned of Edwards:

I imply, that is the most effective league on this planet, you understand? So that you gonna play in opposition to a few of the finest gamers on this planet, too, you understand? And a few of them are actually skilled to give you the chance in these conditions after which simply carry on going. We tried various things with him the entire evening. Like he was simply making pictures. That is what he's as a participant. So, we're simply attempting to hassle him as a lot as doable to a degree to make it actually shut. We give ourselves to attempt to win the sport, however he hits an enormous shot in opposition to two gamers. There was one second left and, you understand, it occurred. That is basketball, that is the most effective sport on this planet for me and that is the most effective league.

Classes to study for Bona Bona received taught a lesson from Wolves large males Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, and Julius Randle. Whereas Bona has had some sturdy performances as of late, he received put in a blender by Minnesota's hulking bigs. Gobert had 23 factors, 19 rebounds, and three blocks whereas Reid had 9, seven rebounds, and two blocks, and Randle had 15. Bona had 10 rebounds, however he had 5 fouls as he had hassle in opposition to the proficient and skilled large males of Minnesota. The Wolves gained the rebounding battle 47-34 on the evening.

Afterward, coach Nick Nurse said:

I feel a pair issues. Let's begin with the opposite guys first, however the different guys aren't moving into there and simply serving up blocked pictures after blocked pictures. I feel they're studying. We clearly discuss that within the recreation. Like, when you meet them and they will be there, you'll be able to't actually do a lot with them on the rim, so you bought to make the following play out nonetheless we'll try this. That is the very first thing and the opposite factor is, principally it comes all the way down to rebounding, proper? And it is not simply the sheer measurement of it. It is what these guys, not solely are they large, however they're additionally good at simply earlier than the shot, is taking their dislodging and pushing and throwing you beneath, and as soon as it is time to flip and block out, they've already began on you, proper? So that is the form of form of little little bit of the expertise or gamesmanship you bought to study to to be able to anticipate that simply perhaps a depend earlier than the pictures taken, moderately than ready until one goes as much as get into the battle with that rebounding, proper? I believed that occurred to us fairly a bit tonight. Virtually pushed out of bounds and so they'd be standing a clear put again, proper?