The Philadelphia 76ers continued their impressive output at the defensive end of the floor in their comprehensive win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Rising from 17th to third in any category from one season to the next is a noteworthy accomplishment for any team. But for the Philadelphia 76ers, it has been vital.
Through 45 games, the Sixers rank dead last in turnovers at 18.0 per game, having committed 20 or more turnovers on 18 occasions. Coupled with this, the Sixers have two players ranked in the top six overall among players in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, each averaging 4.0 per game.
Furthermore, the Sixers have proven thus far to be average shooting team from deep, ranking 15th in connecting at a 36.4 percent clip from long range. Then when you add in the recent five-game absence of their best perimeter shooter J.J. Redick, it’s clear the Sixers needed to make up for this in other areas of their game.
So far, it’s been on the defensive end of the floor that the Sixers have excelled, currently ranking third overall for the season with a defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) of 102.4. With over a decade learning the ropes under the famed culture of the San Antonio Spurs, head coach Brett Brown has naturally taken that same disciplined and hard-nosed approach to the Sixers’ environment.
One of the main keys to their success has been the trio of Embiid, Simmons and Robert Covington. All extremely long, and with the ability to switch and guard a variety of players and positions, this trio has recorded a defensive rating of 97.3 when it has been on the floor together this season.
On an individual level, Embiid’s ability to stay on the court on a reasonably consistent basis has been absolutely pivotal. With a defensive rating of 99.8 in 36 games played, the Sixers have been 5.3 points per 100 possessions better off defensively when Embiid has been on the floor.
As impressive as the Sixers have been all year on the defensive end, they have ramped it up a level since Christmas Day. In posting a 10-3 record since Dec. 25, the Sixers have ranked second over this stretch in recording a defensive rating of 98.5.
76ers now have a 10-3 record and +10.7 Net Rating (1st) since Christmas
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) January 27, 2018
This recent stretch of exemplary defense was epitomized in their most recent win over the San Antonio Spurs, where they held the Spurs to a season-low 78 points, their lowest total at home since Nov. 8, 2013.
While the Spurs were without the services of superstar Kawhi Leonard, executing such an outstanding level of defense on the road against such a storied franchise will give the team enormous belief moving forward.
Coach Brown’s old boss, Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich, was full of praise for the Sixers following the performance:
"“Philadelphia was great, they were physical. Brett has got them really executing well, and playing with confidence. They did it at both ends of the floor. Their defense got us out of everything, and our defense wasn’t great. Their speed got us, and we didn’t get back in transition. I thought [the 76ers] did a great job.”"
Next: 2017-18 Week 15 NBA Power Rankings
With Redick still on the sidelines, and trio of road games to conclude the month, the defensive efficiency that’s been on display thus far this season is going to as crucial as ever if the Sixers are to continue their surge up the Eastern Conference standings.