Sixers Embarrassed by Golden State

OAKLAND –– When looking at an NBA box score, there are several key statistics that help tell the story of the game. Perhaps no one number can predict the final outcome of games as well as turnover differential, and with the Sixers on the wrong side of a 28-14 disadvantage in that category it should come as no surprise that the team also ended up on the wrong side of a 126-86 loss to the Warriors on Wednesday night.

The Sixers committed 11 giveaways and surrendered 18 points off turnovers in the opening frame, one more than the 17 points they scored all together in the first quarter. Entering the second down 32-17, Philadelphia was able to stop the bleeding early in the quarter but still committed seven turnovers for an additional seven points and entered halftime down 61-34. The Sixers never recovered, and Golden State coasted to their 10th consecutive home win, tying a franchise record set during the 1975-76 season.

“I don’t want our guys feeling embarrassed, and I don’t want our guys feeling ashamed,” said head coach Brett Brown after the game. “They have to continue doing what they have been doing… But it is hard when you walk out of the arena [after seeing] the margin balloon the way it did.

The Warriors finished the game with 43 points off of turnovers, 36 from beyond the arc, and 22 from the free-throw line. A jawdropping 38 of their 46 made baskets were assisted.

“We just have to bounce back from this. This was a veteran team, one of the best teams in the NBA, and we were expecting a high-octane offense,” rookie center Nerlens Noel said after the game. “We have to stick together the way we have all year. It doesn’t stop now.”

Philadelphia was led by Henry Sims, who scored 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting to go along with seven rebounds in 23 minutes, while former Sixer Marreese Speights led the way for Golden State. The 2008 first-round pick finished with a game-high 23 points (9/13 FG) in just 24 minutes of action. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 27 points on 10-of-21 from the field and 5-of-14 from beyond the arc.

“We got the ball where wanted it, but we couldn’t finish,” Brown said of his team’s offensive execution. “I think that [we] have to stay grounded and remind ourselves that it’s all about the process and not the result. It’s hard to say that when you just lost the way we just did, but there are some things that you can [take away] from a great team… You leave here seeing what you aspire to build.”

Next Up

The Sixers next travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns on Friday at 9pm (EST). Catch the game on The Comcast Network and 97.5 The Fanatic FM.