Philly Sports Jabronis
By Doug Ammon, Sixers.com
Make that two in a row.
The Sixers won consecutive games for the third time this season on Friday when they took down the Minnesota Timberwolves at home, 103-94. It was a game that was nail-biter throughout, as neither team led by more than eight until the final seconds of the game, when Michael Carter-Williams knocked down two free throws to extend the Philadelphia lead to nine points and seal the W.
When the final whistle blew, the 103 points the Sixers tallied were the most they had scored since the 13th of December and the most they have scored in a win all season.
Michael Carter-Williams was the man of the hour against Minnesota. The reigning Rookie of the Year finished with his third triple-double of the season, registering 17 points (6/13 FG), 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. He recorded eight of his 10 assists in the first half, helping the Sixers assist 19 of their 23 made baskets going into halftime and 27 of 37 on the night
“I feel like [Michael Carter-Williams] is playing so much more at peace with himself, and I think the group is doing the same,” said head coach Brett Brown after the game.
Nerlens Noel was not about to let his former AAU teammate and 2013 draftee outdo him, as the 6’11” big man had a historic night in his own right. Noel’s final stat line of 14 points (7/8 FG), six rebounds, three assists, six blocks, and four steals mad him only the seventh player to achieve these numbers in a game since the year 2000.
“At times, when I saw Nerlens, with all due respect to Andrew Wiggins, I thought maybe we have the rookie of the year,” said Brown.
Several other Sixers aided the cause as well, as Luc Mbah a Moute finished with a team-high 18 points (5/11 FG), and K.J. McDaniels finished with 11 points on 4-of-4 from the field. Robert Covington also poured in 14 points (4/15 FG), his second straight game with at least that many points.
The Timberwolves were led by Kevin Martin’s 19 points of the bench and Nikola Pekovic’s 18 points and seven rebounds. Gorgui Dieng also finished with his second straight double-double, 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Jakarr Sampson, K.J. McDaniels, and Jerami Grant all deserve a pat on the back as they collectively disrupted up and coming star Andrew Wiggins as the Kansas product finished with 15 points but was held to just six points in the opening three quarters of the game.
Thaddeus Young Returns
The home fans showed their appreciation for former-Sixer Thaddeus Young, as he returned to the floor he called home for seven seasons for the first time and received a resounding round of applause.
The eighth-year forward finished with 10 points (3/10 FG) and seven rebounds.
Inside the Numbers: 62.2%
Through the first half, the Sixers shot 62.2% from the field. Nerlens Noel, Jakarr Sampson, and K.J. McDaniels made every shot they took en route to Philadelphia notching its highest team shooting percentage in half all season.
Up Next
It’s a quick turnaround for the Sixers, as they travel to Atlanta to take on the first-place Hawks on Saturday. Tip is set for 7:30pm (EST).
