PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers were not able to come up with their first win on the season on Saturday as they fell to the San Antonio Spurs at home 114-105. It seemed like it was the best chance for the Sixers to get in the win column, but the Spurs denied their efforts.
James Harden had a near triple-double and he did a good job of setting up his teammates, but he shot 4-for-18 and Tyrese Maxey was 8-for-18. Neither of them were really able to get into the paint as the Spurs have a lot of length out on the perimeter led by Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Josh Richardson. When they did get into the paint, they were met by hulking Jakob Poeltl so it was just a tough night.
Afterward, Vassell and the Spurs explained their success:
“I think, at the end of the day, we’re all just aware on defense. We’re making sure that we didn’t let them get to the paint. We’re showing crowds and that’s the biggest thing that we’re doing today (Saturday). They’re both great players and like getting downhill and creating for others. So we had to make sure that we kept them out the paint.”
“They’re so talented. Maxey is just super quick and it’s hard to contain him. You almost have to run them off the line and make them finish over Jakob which is kinda what we did. James is a great scorer, but he’s also getting everyone involved and it’s a tough duo. They’re gonna be really good this year, obviously, and I think they’re gonna go really far.”
“That’s super tough to guard. Especially, with them coming downhill and you got Joel (Embiid) rolling down, you have to make a good guess, I think is what it is. Try to make the right read in that situation and if I see him committing to that layup, maybe get a contest in, and I had good help from my teammates cleaning up the boards, everybody’s coming in, cracking down on their 5-man in Joel and then cleaning up the rebound.”
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