3 observations after Bona blocks 5 shots, summer Sixers lose at the buzzer

3 observations after Bona blocks 5 shots, summer Sixers lose at the buzzer originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers suffered a buzzer-beating defeat Tuesday night to drop to 1-1 in the Salt Lake City summer league.

Jaylen Wells’ put-back floater just before the final horn lifted the Grizzlies to an 87-85 victory.

Wells scored 27 points. Jeff Dowtin Jr. led the Sixers with 18 points and six assists.

The Sixers’ third and final game in Utah will be Thursday at 9 p.m. ET vs. the Jazz. They’ll begin play in the Las Vegas summer league on Saturday.

Here are observations on their tight loss to Memphis:

Dowtin the vet surrounded by youngsters

Following an 0-for-6 game from three-point range in the Sixers’ summer-opening win over the Thunder, Jared McCain broke his long-range ice with two straight fast-break jumpers. Not surprising at all that a player with his shooting ability nailed a pair right away.

McCain didn’t have the same success from two-point territory, going 3 for 10 from the floor in a 12-point, four-assist performance.

As a team, the Sixers started 5 for 6 from three-point range and took an 18-point lead late in the first quarter. Dowtin went 3 for 4 from beyond the arc on the night and played another good game.

Credit to the 27-year-old guard for being the quintessential summer league vet — hitting shots, running the offense, and generally decreasing the usual chaos level of July basketball.

Rookie wing Justin Edwards had a nice evening, too. The one-and-done Kentucky product scored the Sixers’ first five points on a mid-range jumper in transition and a catch-and-shoot three off a McCain drive and kick. Edwards recorded 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

Bona swinging away for blocks 

Adem Bona had a rough moment when he faked a dribble handoff, tried a sneak-attack drive, and got the ball stripped from his hands. Later, the 21-year-old center was whistled for a clear-cut moving screen. Bona won’t be an offensive hub anytime soon, but he’ll hope to develop his decision-making and skills when the ball comes to him at the top of the key.

His…

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Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2024-07-10 01:48:42

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