November 08, 2015

Magic 105, Sixers 97: Noel ejection looms large late

By Rich Hofmann
PhillyVoice Contributor

Despite 19points from rookie center Jahlil Okafor, the Philadelphia 76ers fell to 0-6 with a 105-97 loss to the Orlando Magic. In a game that saw Okafor’s frontcourt partner Nerlens Noel get ejected in late in the third quarter, Orlando used 37 combined points from Elfrid Payton and Evan Fournier to lead a balanced scoring effort.

Here’s what I saw:

•    The Sixers went 0-8 in the first quarter from three-point range, which was especially frustrating because the looks they were getting were generally very good. In the second quarter, the ball started to go in the basket. At one point, they went on a 9-0 run in under a minute’s time on Canaan-Stauskas-Canaan back-to-back-to-back triples. Just how Brett Brown drew it up.

•    Isaiah Canaan got a little run at point guard last night in Cleveland, but he played the 2 tonight next to both T.J. McConnell and Phil Pressey. The challenge there is obviously guarding physical 2s like Victor Oladipo. On one occasion tonight, Nerlens Noel did a nice job altering Oladipo’s shot after the Magic guard bullied Lil’ Sip all the way to the basket.

•    A 14-26 effort from the charity stripe really hurts in a close game. Hard-hitting stuff there, I know.

•    Canaan’s shot-making was a major spark tonight, no doubt. He finished with a team-high 23 points on 6-12 shooting from deep. In particular, Pressey did an excellent job in the drive-and-kick game and finding Canaan.

•    Noel against Tobias Harris was a part of the most interesting matchup of the night, in my opinion. There, we saw a hybrid 3/4 that can really fill it up matched up against a hybrid 4/5 that can really prevent people from filling it up. Unfortunately…

•    Nerlens had his night cut short. Jason Smith only scored 10 points, but he plays really hard and made a major impact on the game (in particular, he outworked Okafor for position on the low block). He’s also one of the more annoying/dirty-ish players in the league. Smith caused Noel to get kicked out of the game late in the third quarter. You be the judge:

•    Smith got booed really loudly the rest of the night. The amount of vitriol in the building directed at JASON SMITH was hilarious.

•    That ejection was a big deal. The Magic continually got into the paint against a McConnell-Canaan-Stauskas backcourt (as expected) down the stretch, but the Sixers were without their rim protector to clean up at least some of the messes.

•    Is it weird to say that Nik Stauskas has been much more impressive as a driver than shooter so far this season? I think that is probably true, though.

•    Jahlil Okafor obliterated #FormerSixer Dewayne Dedmon in the low post in the first half, which makes it puzzling why the Sixers and Okafor aren’t committed to consistently exploiting that matchup in the halfcourt. He had 19 points on 7-14 shooting (only 5-10 from the line) with 5 boards, 3 assists, and 3 blocks.

•    Without getting into it too much, Okafor’s defense/rebounding again left some to be desired. At least on first watch it did.

•    For what seems like the tenth time this season, the Sixers came out flat after halftime. Overall, the team has struggled when Okafor and Noel share the floor. Coming into tonight, the Sixers have been outscored by 19.5 points per 100 possessions when the “Center City” lineup is in the game.

Up next

After a day off on Sunday — It is Dallas Week, after all — the Sixers are back in action at home on Monday night against the Chicago Bulls (4-3). There is reportedly some drama in the Windy City right now between the Bulls and their former Most Valuable Player. Tip on Monday should be around 7:10 p.m.

Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann

Rich Hofmann
PhillyVoice Contributor