Recap: Sixers’ poor defensive effort leads to embarrassing home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder 133-114

The Sixers failed to complete the sweep of their quick two-game homestand last night, losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder 133-114 at The Well. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander torches the Sixers, scoring 37 points with eight rebounds and six assists. OKC at one point, built a 19-point lead in the game and really, outside of a short-lived lead in the third quarter, controlled the game throughout. 

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James Harden led The Sixers with 24 points, six rebounds, and 15 assists.

This is @JHarden13's sixth game this season with at least 15 assists, the most such performances ever by a @sixers player in a single campaign.

Wilt Chamberlain had five in 1967-68 and Maurice Cheeks had five in 1987-88.

h/t @Stathead

— Sixers Stats (@SixersStats) January 13, 2023

Joel Embiid dropped a very casual 30 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey added 17 points. 

There were only two other Sixers players in double-figures last night, with Tobias Harris scoring 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the floor, and Georges Niang with 10 points off the bench. 

Tyrese Maxey in Transition is a thing of beauty

Originally tweeted by Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) on January 13, 2023.

Quick Thoughts

Honestly, the Sixers literally play no defense. I’m not even going to pretend to be all analytical about it. The defense is horrible and they don’t rebound or protect the perimeter. Time and time again we see other teams and players come in and torch this team. OKC shot over 51% from the floor last night and a respectable 43% from three point range.

Also, you have Doc Rivers who continues to have ZERO game plan late in games. Three minutes left. 8-point game. No offensive set. Joel Embiid with the ball at the point behind the three point line. SGA picks his pocket and puts the game out of reach.

There simply has to be a better way to handle that situation.

Up Next for the Sixers

With the loss, the Sixers fell back to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Sixers are just 8-9 on the road this season and will look to improve on that record as they head out west on a five-game road trip, with the first stop Saturday night against the Utah Jazz.