Sixers raise their level in comeback win over Grizzlies, though PJ Tucker isn’t glowing about defense
PJ Tucker had no trouble identifying where hed like to see the Sixers improve defensively ahead of the teams first post-All-Star game.
This team, communication is always going to be No. 1. Ive been saying that since training camp, Tucker said with a chuckle Thursday morning following shootaround. But its going to always be something. (Joel Embiid) doesnt talk a lot, Tobias (Harris) doesnt talk a lot, Tyrese (Maxey) doesnt talk a lot. Weve got a lot of guys that dont talk a lot.
But its just in those important moments and those spots, to be on the same page. Thatll be a difference-maker for us, especially because weve got guys who can really be good defensively.
The Sixers holding the Grizzlies to 68 points over the final three quarters and erasing a 17-point deficit didnt dramatically sway Tuckers view.
Well, its still not great, Tucker said postgame of the Sixers defense. Its still pretty sh—y. Its not great. We have glimpses where were really good. Were really bad a lot. But we dont stop, and thats the beauty of it being relentless, not stopping. Yeah, that was terrible this quarter. Next quarter, well step up and start taking stuff personally. Everybody starts picking it up, playing harder, boxing out, being physical.
Its the little things that kind of trigger everybody, and everybody gets involved. The more we can do that later in the year going into the playoffs, the easier our lives will be.
Nothing was easy about winning a game in which Embiid missed 12 of his first 13 field-goal attempts. While that struggle might have ultimately made the comeback more satisfying, it also meant the Sixers experienced the full spectrum of Philly sports fandom.
The first-half boos or the second-half cheers? Tucker said with a laugh when asked about the home crowd. The emotion, it was unreal. The second half was unbelievable. Thats probably as loud as Ive ever heard it.
Embiids defense delighted the fans on several occasions. He was an aggressive, deeply committed rim protector and brilliant overall in a six-block performance.
Like I always say, defense is more important for me than offense, Embiid said to reporters. Even tonight, I could not make any shots, especially the ones that I usually make, but defensively, I thought I had to be Bill Russell tonight to kind of balance it out. As a team, I thought we did a great job, so weve just got to keep going.
Tuckers fourth-quarter stint at center with Embiid on the bench played a significant role in the Sixers fifth straight victory.
The team outscored Memphis by two points using Tucker at the five. The 37-year-old isnt capable of anything resembling Embiids impact as a fearsome paint presence. Tucker is all about physicality, though, and his veterans instincts have been valuable in multiple comebacks this season.
He registered an important steal by showing on a pick-and-roll, reading Dillon Brooks drive, and swiping down to strip the ball.
We dont have a lot of practice time. We dont have a lot of time to work on it, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers said of Tucker-at-center lineups. We talked to him before the break and told him we were going to do it more and more. I didnt think tonight was the night, honestly, but it really helped us.
Rivers was pleased Thursday to watch the Sixers score on back-to-back late-game possessions using the same set. While the action turned frenetic at times in the closing minutes, the Sixers found a fruitful half-court look. A Harden back screen temporarily freed Tyrese Maxey, who caught Embiids bounce pass in stride and dished to Harris for a corner three.
With Ja Morant wary of the back screen on the Sixers next play, Maxey cut through and ended up in the corner. Harden and Embiid had room to run a pick-and-roll and the Sixers All-Star big man hit a game-tying foul-line jumper.
The set is called V-Out, according to Rivers.
It gives us space and movement, he said. Brooks didnt really want to switch off of James. James set great picks. It also allowed James to get downhill, and it kept the floor spaced. Its a heck of a play for us when we run it right and when we space and pass the ball, and I thought we did that.
Of course, that offensive success only mattered because the Sixers considerably elevated their defense.
Though the current top gear isnt shabby at all, Tucker is sure the team can be better.
Its really small stuff for different people, he said. Everybody has their own things, but overall as a team, we have to be more physical, I think. Were not as physical as we should be. Were so good on offense at times that I think the defensive part kind of goes out the window because weve got a lot of guys that can score a lot of points. And so you get Jo with all the blocks he was getting tonight; Tobias stepped up; everybody did their part. It makes a difference.
