March 29, 2016
The Sixers now have just seven chances to avoid tying the NBA record for fewest wins in an 82-game season, a record currently held by the 1972-73 Philadelphia team that went 9-73 and has remained untouched for the last 40-plus seasons. Following their 100-85 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center, the Sixers fell to 9-66 on the season.
In the loss, the Sixers set a new franchise record with 44 three point attempts -- the previous record was 41 attempts -- and tied the record for most three-pointer made in a game (16). In fact, they made more threes (16) than they they did two-point shots (14).
Meanwhile, the Hornets shot 43.7 percent overall and were led by Nicolas Batum's 19 points. He posted a triple-double and shot 8-of-16 from the field.
Here's more from the game, including a few stats that will leave you shaking your head.
• Batum's triple-double was one of the fastest in NBA history. At least as far as I can tell.
Batum needed just 24:53 to record his triple-double vs. #Sixers.
— Matt Mullin (@matt_mullin) March 30, 2016
Fastest all-time to triple-double was Westbrook’s 20:17 (3/4/14 vs. PHI).
He finished with 37:34 of court time, but the fact that he got his 10th rebound midway through the third was quite impressive. He also had a game-high 19 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.
• Not only did the Sixers make more threes than they did twos, but they also shot better from outside the arc (36.4 percent) than they did from inside it (26.9).
• The Sixers drew just seven fouls against the Hornets. Seven. The entire game. On a related note, they shot just 10 free throws.
• The Hornets out-rebounded the Sixers by 20 (65-45). All of that, however, came on the defensive end as both teams had nine offensive board.
• And if you combine those last three stats, it shouldn't surprise you that the Sixers were outscored in the paint, 48-22, by the Hornets.
• The Sixers scored just 36 first-half points and it wasn't even their worst first half of the season.
• Only one Sixers player shot 50 percent or better. And that was Kendall Marshall, who only took two shots.
• Part of the reason the Sixers relied so heavily on outside shooting -- and why they were crushed by the Hornets on the inside -- was the fact that they were without Nerlens Noel (knee), Jerami Grant (knee/quad) and Richuan Holmes (Achilles). Considering that they were already without Jahlil Okafor, they didn't have much of a chance on the glass or in the paint. When Elton Brand and Christian Wood combine for 25 minutes, you know you're in trouble.
Ish Smith tried to lend a hand inside, but even his three blocks (a career high) wasn't enough.
Ish Smith (6'0") rejects Marvin Williams (6'9"). #SixersTalk https://t.co/oJQNruPyaN
— Comcast SportsNet (@CSNPhilly) March 30, 2016
• The Sixers' lack of depth inside had to be music to Cody Zeller's ears. He finished with 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting and 11 rebounds in just under 26 minutes.
• Robert Covington led the Sixers with 18 points (6-14 3PT) and seven rebounds.
The Sixers are now off until Friday, when they travel to Charlotte to face these same Hornets. Well, not exactly the same Hornets, as they expect to have Jeremy Lin back, who was a DNP against the Sixers -- much to the dismay of the hundreds of fans who came out to see him.
Tons of fans came just to see @JLin7 in Philly tonight. He was a DNP, but came out to take a pic with them. pic.twitter.com/ReoJbOqkbd
— Matt Mullin (@matt_mullin) March 30, 2016
Follow Matt on Twitter: @matt_mullin
