Former Sixer Korver, Hawks Shoot Down Philly 95-79

By Max Rappaport, Sixers.com

ATLANTA –– During the seven-game win streak the Hawks had strung together heading into Wednesday’s game against the Sixers, they had allowed an average of just 88.7 points a night. Their prowess on the defensive end was on full display as they held Philadelphia to 41.7% shooting in a 95-79 home win.

On the flip side, the Hawks were limited to 41.8% shooting and were outshot by the Sixers 13-9 at the foul line. But Atlanta outrebounded Philadelphia 52-39 and had 12 more second-chance opportunities than did the Sixers. In the end, that disparity, coupled with a 30-18 advantage from beyond the arc spelled doom for Philadelphia, which fell to 2-19 on the season.

“Our offense is very far behind our defense,” Sixers head coach Brett Brown said after the game. “I thought we played well defensively, for the most part, to hold a team like that to 95 points.”

But after entering halftime on the wrong end of a 47-38 differential, Brown decided to make some changes in the hopes of sparking some offensive production. Starting center Henry Sims logged 13 minutes in the first half, but didn’t play in the second, as the Sixers went with a small-ball lineup that saw increased minutes for Robert Covington, Alexey Shved, and Jerami Grant.

“We just decided that our best chance [to slow down Atlanta’s three-point attack] was to switch a lot,” said Brown. “We just tried to roll out a lot of athletes.”

Michael Carter-Williams nearly notched his second triple-double of the season, finishing with eight points on 4-of-7 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds, nine assists, and a pair of blocks. He also committed nine turnovers in 38 minutes of action.

“I was late on a lot of stuff tonight,” he said after the game. “I need to get rid of the ball a little bit earlier, and maybe things will turn out a little better. I still have to be aggressive, find the open guy, and make plays.”

In Alexey Shved’s return to action after missing three games with a hip injury, he led the Sixers in scoring with 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting in 16 minutes. Luc Mbah a Moute contributed 12 points, a pair of rebounds, and five steals, Nerlens Noel scored eight points, pulled down five rebounds, and blocked three shots, and K.J. McDaniels finished with 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals.

Nightly Notable: Jerami Grant

Against the Hawks, rookie Jerami Grant logged a career-high 16 minutes and finished with 10 points (5/7 FG), three rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block.

Next Up

The Sixers next travel to Brooklyn to take on the Nets on Friday at 7:30pm (EST) before returning to Philadelphia to take on the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:30pm (EST) on Saturday.