The Brooklyn Nets failed to spoil Joel Embiid’s birthday, as they fell to the Philadelphia 76ers away at the Wells Fargo Center.
- Brooklyn Nets 116 (21-48)
- Philadelphia 76ers 120 (38-30)
- NBA, Final, Box Score
- Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Brooklyn entered last night’s game having dropped 17 of their last 18, looking to pick up a much-needed win.
The defense once again had a say in the matter, however, as the Nets lost to Philadelphia in the final seconds.
BIG. SHOT. BOB. pic.twitter.com/q005oeIy0s
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 17, 2018
It was Robert Covington who hit the game-altering shot last night, putting the 76ers up one with less than half a minute to play.
With just over 18 seconds left, Spencer Dinwiddie put up a three from the right wing that fell just short. A jump ball would place the ball back in Brooklyn’s possession, and Dinwiddie at the line.
He hit the first, intentionally missed the second, but Philly’s Joel Embiid got the rebound, and sealed the game with two free throws. The 76ers’ physical embodiment of “The Process” finished with 29 points and a career-high 19 rebounds.
BIRTHDAY BOY BUZZER BEATER pic.twitter.com/PvHtzGfLfF
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 17, 2018
Prior to tip-off, head coach Kenny Atkinson announced a change in the starting lineup. Dinwiddie was sent to the bench, while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson earned a return to the starting lineup.
It paid off, mostly, as the Nets’ most consistent player tallied 21 points and 10 rebounds on 7-for-13 shooting from the field.
Rondae Hollis-JefferSPIN pic.twitter.com/ocGTqQLwgC
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 17, 2018
Atkinson was happy with the results of his lineup shift, agreeing that Hollis-Jefferson stepped up to the plate tonight when speaking with YES Network post-game.
Mental mistakes were down, the gameplan was right, but the @BrooklynNets couldn't stop an aggressive Sixers team Friday night. pic.twitter.com/WOAGa41v5C
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 17, 2018
Regarding Nets who stepped up, veteran DeMarre Carroll continues to hush those who doubted his value entering his ninth year.
He ended the night with 18 points and 11 rebounds, his 11th double-double this season.
It’s Brooklyn’s third consecutive loss, yet, as always there are positives. Caris LeVert has been on a tear since returning from injury, averaging: 14.3 points, 5 assists, and 1.7 steals in the month of March.
That continued against the 76ers, where the second-year guard was pulling out all the tricks, including this move on Embiid.
Caris can do it all! pic.twitter.com/BZ35Zk7D1J
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 17, 2018
Dinwiddie, who Atkinson recently acknowledged as being amidst a shooting slump, had a decent night. He finished with 14 points and five assists, including this impressive dunk.
Stay out of @SDinwiddie_25's way pic.twitter.com/2KryBGtRSg
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 17, 2018
Point guard D’Angelo Russell had a productive first half, which is positive, but fell apart in the back half of the game. He went into the break with eight points, four rebounds, and four assists.
.@Dloading from deep! ❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/oyustiWzIq
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 16, 2018
In the second half, Russell failed to hit a single shot, going 0-for-10, earning him a view of the game courtside for a majority of the fourth. He’s been scoring at a high clip recently, but just couldn’t find his shot Friday night.
Ultimately, it was defense that took this game out of the Nets’ hands, yet again. They’ll look to adjust as they head home to face the Dallas Mavericks Saturday night. Tip-off is at 7:30 pm est.
