In the first game back from the All-Star break, the Sixers faced the 20-33 New Orleans Pelicans in their first of two meetings this season. Philadelphia struggled early to contain Anthony Davis, who ended the first quarter with 18 points. Brett Brown eventually switched the matchup to have Nerlens Noel, in his first game back from a knee injury, cover Davis instead of Okafor. Big Jah did get in foul trouble early, however, as he racked up three personals and made his way to the bench. This meant that Carl Landry and Richaun Holmes got some minutes, though neither of them put up any points in the first half. The only Sixer to finish the first half with a positive plus or minus, though, was Carl Landry. Fouls, turnovers, and poor passing plagued the Sixers throughout the first half, as the offense became a bit stagnant. Isaiah Canaan and Nik Stauskus made their presence felt from beyond the arc, combining for five threes in the first half. The Sixers went on an eight and two run to end the half, but it could not significantly minimize the Pelicans lead, as they capitalized off of Philly’s 15 turnovers. The Pelicans ended the half up 71-55.
Jahlil Okafor, who went scoreless in the first half, got his first points of the game during the third quarter, finishing the night with 14. His night ended prematurely, however, as he fouled out with six minutes left in the game. Kendall Marshall was alive and well, getting a significant chunk of playing time. At one point he hit two consecutive threes, helping cut the Sixers’ deficit down to six. The team seemed to wake up from their All-Star break slumber with a good three-shooting night. This helped keep the Sixers competitive in the game, though they never had a lead. They did come back from a 22 point deficit to be within two, but their efforts were not enough to stop Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans. New Orleans gets their 21st win of the season, beating Philadelphia 121-114.
The Sixers are in action this Sunday, January 21st, in Dallas, at seven pm.
FINAL STATS:
- Robert Covington- 15 p, 1 a, 4 r, 1 stl
- Nerlens Noel- 24 p, 4 a, 9 r, 1 blk, 2 stl
- Jahlil Okafor- 14 p, 5 r, 1 blk
- Ish Smith- 12 p, 7 a, 3 r, 4 stl
- Nik Stauskus- 11 p, 1 a, 2 r, 1 stl
- Isaiah Canaan- 13 p, 3 r, 1 stl
- Jerami Grant- 12 p, 1 a, 2 blk
- Carl Landry- 2 a, 1 r
- Kendall Marshall- 9 p, 3 a, 1 stl
- TJ McConnell- 2 p, 1 a, 1 r
- Hollis Thompson- 2 p, 4 r, 1 stl
