The Sixers’ first preseason showing was about setting a foundation, not beating the Breakers
The Sixers finished with 25 fast-break points in their 55-point win on Monday night. “I think we got some guys in the open floor that can attack,” Nick Nurse said.
No Joel Embiid. No Paul George. No problem.
This wasn’t exactly an exhibition game in which the 76ers needed their two future Hall of Famers. In fact, they probably also could have rested All-Star Tyrese Maxey and the other members of their starting lineup Monday night.
A team like the New Zealand Breakers of Australia’s National Basketball League are no match for an NBA contender. So it’s not surprising that the Sixers rolled to a 139-84 victory over their overmatched Breakers at the Wells Fargo Center.
» READ MORE: Tyrese Maxey, Andre Drummond set the tempo in Sixers’ preseason victory over New Zealand Breakers
Maxey played only in the first quarter and scored 15 points while making 4-of-5 three-pointers. Andre Drummond had 11 points, seven rebounds, one block, and a steal in 14 minutes, 19 seconds. Rookie Jared McCain was plus-36 in 27:39 while adding 15 points.
The Sixers led by as many as 59 points, and things could have been much worse.
Afterward, coach Nick Nurse was asked what can he take from a game like this.
“Listen, that team played pretty good in Salt Lake the other night,” Nurse said of the Breakers’ 116-87 loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday. “I was just happy that we got out and got after them defensively. Yeah, we are trying to build those things and ball pressure and deflections and create turnovers.
“And we are working on some pace this year. A lot more than we have in the past, throw aheads and getting the ball up the floor. We did some of that pretty good.”
The Sixers (1-0) wanted all 19 available players to impact the game.
But for Nurse, this was sort of a dress rehearsal opportunity to confirm a lot of things they accomplished in training camp. So the Sixers look at this blowout as a good start for building a foundation.
The team worked on delivering throw-ahead passes frequently during last week’s training camp in the Bahamas.
“I think we got some guys in the open floor that can attack,” Nurse said. “You know our wings are attack guys. So we just want to give them that quick opportunity to at least hit the paint. I’m not saying they got to shoot. But if they can advance it, corner attack it, get to the paint, shoot, something good should happen from there.”
The Sixers love their new playing style. And it was obvious to see why against the Breakers (0-2).
» READ MORE: Nick Nurse touts Sixers’ versatility and Paul George shows off his work ethic
The Sixers had 25 fast-break points, 20 second-chance points, and 66 points in the paint. Philly also made 17-of-37 three-pointers while shooting 58% overall. They did all that while getting the ball past half-court with at least 20 seconds to spare on each possession.
“That’s my style right there,” Kelly Oubre Jr. said. “I’m running the floor. I’m running like a maniac all game long. A lot of times, I’m in front of the crowd because I’m fast and I’m sprinting.
“So the kick aheads and playing in the open floor, that’s my time to shine.”
The Sixers realize they still have room to improve. They’re ironing out how to space the floor and play with pace. But they’re confident they’ll get the ball up the floor quicker and shoot early in the shot clock.
“For me, that’s great, because not too many bigs want to have that rat race every possession,” Drummond said. “So for me, it’s an advantage because me being in shape and also being able to rebound the ball off misses with Tyrese Maxey down the paint getting layups and shooting wide open shots.
“And you have Paul George, who is a ridiculous scorer. And this you have Joel when you bring him back, too. We have a lot of weapons. It’s just figuring out how to hold it all under one roof.”