Last night, the Sixers failed to score a single point through the final eight minutes and 19 seconds, eventually falling to the wrath of the Bucks, 93-81. Nerlens Noel recorded his first career double-double in the game while KJ McDaniels and others had good bounce back efforts after struggling in the opener.
Here is some reaction from last night's loss (via CSNPhilly.com):
Brett Brown:
"When you look at those turnovers, and we were 54.5 percent from the foul line, and 5 for 23 from three," Brown said, perusing the final stat sheet.
"The game is long, 48 minutes is a long game for our group, and I give them credit defensively. I am proud of what they are doing defensively. We just have a hard time trying to find ways to score."
Nerlens Noel:
"It started on our defensive end when they started getting hot and hitting threes — that took a toll on us mentally," Noel said. "It is hard to focus on your offensive set when you are turning it over and letting them get fast breaks. It all started on defense."
"When I watch him run rim to rim on offense, he is a deer, he is an A-plus athlete," Brown said. "When I watch him run rim to rim the other way in transition defense, if both of those aren't at the standard of full speed then he is tired, and he should sit. He dictates that measurement to me."
KJ McDaniels:
"He got an injury," Brown said when asked about not playing McDaniels more. "K.J. [Kevin Johnson, team trainer] said it wouldn't be wise to play him, and so we didn't. In the back of my mind, I am thinking about our [home] opening night tomorrow. His numbers offensively look good but his defense has such a long way to go."
McDaniels sat at his locker postgame with ice on his right hip area. He admitted he was in pain.
"I didn't come out as soon as it happened," McDaniels said. "It happened real quick. It is real painful right now. I think it is right on the bone. I will go to the doctor tomorrow and find out exactly what it is."
McDaniels was not exactly sure how it happened, but he did return to action afterwards.
"I played through it, but it just got worse," he said. "Every time I came out I tried to stretch it out, but it was severe."
Tonight, the Sixers play their home opener against Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and the Heat. Coverage begins at 7PM on Comcast Sportsnet.
Brandon Apter is a writer for Sixerdelphia.com
