Tonight @ 8pm.
: @CSNPhilly
: @975TheFanatic
: @LiveExtra
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— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) November 4, 2015
Through his first three games of the season, Jahlil Okafor has exceeded the expectations for the start of his career. Averaging 20 points and shooting 51% from the field, the rookie is already looking like a near-lock for Rookie of the Year if he even comes close to that production.
However, that was not good enough for Okafor. According to Brett Brown, after their seven-point loss, Okafor came to him saying he needs to become a better defensive rebounder. Okafor thus far is averaging 3 defensive rebounds, compared to 2.3 on the offensive glass. According to CSN Philly’s Dave Zeitlin, Okafor made this declaration immediately after the game, even before entering the locker room.
“The best thing I have heard in awhile is going into the locker room after the game and having him come to me and say, ‘I have to be a better defensive rebounder. I want to get help to be a better defensive rebounder,’” Brown said from Sixers practice Tuesday. “You just want to hug him right then and there on the spot.”
Okafor said he was concerned with boxing out his man and preventing offensive boards. But he wants to be able to do that while still being able to secure the defensive boards himself. On Monday, he only grabbed one defensive board. Timofey Mozgov, Cleveland’s center, was able to get three offensive rebounds.
Tonight, Okafor will get another test in the paint and on the boards. Playing the Bucks in Milwaukee, the Duke product will be up against the Bucks’ Greg Monroe, who grabbed 13 rebounds Monday night.
Sixers-Bucks tip off at 8 p.m.
Game Notes:
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The Sixers will get a chance to go up against their former Rookie of the Year, Michael Carter-Williams. MCW thus far this year is averaging just over 12 points per game and over 6 assists.
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Tonight could be a nice breakout game for Nik Stauskas. That’s because the Bucks enter the game allowing a league-high 43.2 % of three-pointers to fall.
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Okafor will not be the only top-3 Duke draft pick on the floor tonight. The Bucks will welcome back their former top pick from 2014 Jabari Parker back to the lineup. Parker has missed the last 11 months recovering from a torn ACL. In his 25 games last year, he averaged 12.3 points per game. He also had a double-double against the Sixers.
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Milwaukee swept the season series a year ago and have won six straight in the match up.
Injuries:
Philadelphia: As predicted yesterday, Robert Covington will not play due to his knee injury.
Milwaukee: John Henson is listed as out with an Achilles strain.
Projected Lineups:
Philadelphia:
PG- Tony Wroten
SG-Nik Stauskas
SF- JaKarr Sampson
PF- Nerlens Noel
C- Jahlil Okafor
Milwaukee:
PG- Michael Carter-Williams
SG- Jarryd Bayless
SF- Khris Middleton
PF- Giannis Antetokounmpo
C- Greg Monroe
Prediction: Milwaukee has the Sixers’ number and with no Robert Covington to space the floor, Philadelphia has been poor offensively. Bucks win 104-91
