Questionable Coaching Decisions — 76ers fall to Bucks

Last night was another tough loss in a long stretch of tough games for the Sixers as they fell to the Bucks 117-104. The Bucks jumped out to a 41-point first quarter and the Sixers were never able to recover. The Bucks were coming off a 41-point loss to the Celtics in their previous game, and they played like a team that needed a bounceback.

Doc Rivers Substitutions

When a team comes out to a 15-point first-quarter lead, it is going to be very tough to win that game. But, like we have seen all season, the Sixers fought their way back. Late in the 3rd quarter, the Sixers brought the Bucks’ lead down to only 8. With Joel picking up his fourth foul, Doc pulled Embiid and decided to go small ball with P.J Tucker as the center. Harden was also on the bench. Rivers has been criticized all year for not trusting Embiid enough to play with fouls, and last night it was the nail in the coffin. The Bucks went on a Giannis-led run, and by the time Embiid came back in with around 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter the Sixers were down 20. Giannis on the other hand, was playing with four fouls and took advantage of the Sixers’ center-less lineup. With Embiid out of the game, Harden has to be on the court for most of those minutes. The Sixers bench is not good enough to carry the non-Embiid minutes by themselves, and last night showed that.

For whatever reason, Doc does not trust Paul Reed. Whether or not the Sixers want to acknowledge it the backup center position is important. Reed has shown that he can give the Sixers some life off the bench, and at the very least is a capable player in his limited minutes. If the Sixers keep experimenting with other options for a backup center, it will cost them as it has in the past.

The Tobias Harris Conversation

When is it time to start the Tobias Harris conversation? 

I know that people realize that he is not a max-level player worth a max-level contract, but why is that ok? In last night’s loss to the Bucks, Harris finished with 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. Whether or not you think he is worth his contract, that is unacceptable. In the games against the Nuggets, Celtics, and Bucks this season (the three teams with better records than the Sixers), he has yet to score 20 or more points and averages only 11.13 points per game. That is simply not good enough. I understand that he has become the fourth option for this team offensively, but for this team to go far in the playoffs, they might need him to step up and become that third or second scoring option. Is anyone confident he can do that?

Another concerning aspect for this team is their role players. Harris, Niang, and Tucker combined for just 11 points last night. While they do not rely on Tucker to score, when the other players are not producing it highlights his lack of scoring. McDaniels and Melton also combined for only 3 points last night. The Sixers need more out of their role players if they want to do anything in the playoffs.

Home Stretch

The Sixers have 4 games left in their regular season against the Celtics, Heat, Hawks, and Nets. The Sixers have yet to beat the Celtics this season, and with a second-round showdown looming, it would be huge for their confidence heading into the playoffs. This game could be huge for Embiid’s MVP candidacy as well. He is currently the favorite and leads the last straw poll, but a dominant win against the Celtics could wrap it up. Jokic has missed the last two games with a calf injury, so it is looking like it’s Joel’s to lose. Once the Sixers have the 3 seed locked up I would be surprised if they put Harden and Embiid out for any games after that. My guess is the two stars will play against the Celtics and Heat, and then rest the last two if they win those games. The last game of the season is Easter Sunday, April 9th against the Brooklyn Nets, then it’s playoff time.