Player grades: Sixers battle, but end up taking loss to Pacers at home
PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers returned home on Friday to play host to the Indiana Pacers looking to get back in the win column. The Sixers went 0-2 on their quick road trip to Atlanta and Toronto and were looking to pick up a win over a tough Pacers team.
With that being said, the challenge was immense. Philadelphia entered the night with only eight players available including the three players on a two-way deal and a player on a 10-day deal the Sixers had just signed on Friday. When considering all of that, the Pacers predictably walked away with a 112-100 win. Philadelphia held a double-digit lead in the first half, but couldn't sustain it.
Jeff Dowtin Jr. led the Sixers with a career-high 24 points while Adem Bona had 16 points and nine rebounds. Jared Butler had 17 points, Ricky Council IV added 12, Oshae Brissett had 14, and Guerschon Yabusele had five and 15 rebounds.
Here are the player grades following the loss:
Jared Butler: B-minus
When Butler is able to put his head down and attack the basket, he is always makes things happen. He is a smart player, but he has a quick burst of speed that he will use in order to get into the paint and create offense for himself and his teammates. He was efficient with his own offense and did some good things with his playmaking in this one. It was a different story in the second half, but overall, Butler had some good moments on the offensive end and looked comfortable running things.
Jeff Dowtin Jr.: A
Coming off a career night in Toronto in his previous outing, Dowtin had another nice night in this one. He was able to give the Sixers some consistent scoring, was terrific on the glass, and made sure Philadelphia was organized on the offensive end of the floor. The Pacers seemed to not have much of an answer for him as Dowtin blew by every Indiana defender and used his strength to muscle his way into the paint and get some easy looks. Even his tougher looks were able to drop for him. He was just in a groove on that end of the floor.
Ricky Council IV: B-minus
In a situation such as this one, Council just needs to score the basketball. He was focused on his offense in this one as he was able to get to his spots and feel comfortable with his own looks. He took some shots in rhythm and used his athleticism to get to the basket and make things happen for Philadelphia. There were a few moments when he tried to do too much, but Council had a solid night for the Sixers as he continues to search for consistency.
Guerschon Yabusele: C-minus
Yabusele looked lively in this one. After missing the contest against the Raptors due to right knee soreness, he was questionable heading into this matchup. However, he looked like he was able to shake that off and push forward, at least to start. He was attacking the basket off the dribble, was helpful on the glass, and had lift on his 3-point looks. His overall efficiency wasn’t great after a nice start, but Yabusele looked like himself on some of these possessions.
Adem Bona: B-plus
Bona had some good moments in this one. On the offensive end, he was terrific around the basket as he used a variety of post moves to free himself up for floaters at the rim and he did some good things on the defensive end. He was fantastic in terms of blocking shots and being able to deter some of Indiana’s attacks in the paint. Bona has a bright future in this league and just needs to continue working. He takes a big step forward on a nightly basis and Philadelphia will be better for it going forward.
Alex Reese: C-plus
Reese looks like he has a lot of good defensive chops. This is the second straight game where he has shown off an ability to hold his ground and be bother his opponents whether it was out on the perimeter or even at the basket. He had an impressive block on Pacers big man Myles Turner during his initial stint. He knocked down a 3 in the second half as he showed off his range.
Jalen Hood-Schifino: C
The debut of Hood-Schifino got off to a rough start. He had a few good looks within the offense, but was unable to convert on them, but his ability to get in the paint was welcomed. He was able to make things happen in the second half with his offensive game which is a good sign for him moving forward.
Oshae Brissett: C
Brissett was unable to find a rhythm on the offensive end, but he was able to get to the line and get on the board with his scoring. He had some nice defensive moments as well as he seemed to be in the right positions more often than not. Overall, it was a tough night for him, but he can be forgiven when considering it was his first NBA game of the season and he was just signed on Friday. He did get some triples to fall in the fourth with the game already decided, but those are shots he can take with him going forward.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Player grades: Sixers battle, but end up taking loss to Pacers at home
Topics
-
3 biggest takeaways for Sixers following latest home loss to Pacers
Here are the three biggest takeaways for the Philadelphia 76ers following their latest home loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Sixers add 2 more players to injury report vs. Pacers at home
The Philadelphia 76ers add 2 more injury report for their matchup with the Indiana Pacers at home on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Full injury report for Tyrese Maxey, Sixers vs. Pacers in return home
Here is the full injury report for Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers as they take on the Indiana Pacers in their return home on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Sixers vs. Pacers game preview: How to watch, lineups, broadcast info
The Philadelphia 76ers will take on the Indiana Pacers on Friday looking to get back in the win column at home.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Oshae Brissett reacts to joining Sixers, making debut in loss to Pacers
Oshae Brissett reacts to joining the Philadelphia 76ers and making his debut in a loss to the Indiana Pacers.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Siakam scores 27 points and helps Pacers rally with big second half to beat the 76ers 112-100
Pascal Siakam scored 17 of his 27 points in the second half, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-100 on Friday night. Myles Turner added 18 points and seven rebounds, while ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Nick Nurse provides injury update on Tyrese Maxey after loss to Pacers
Coach Nick Nurse gives an update on Tyrese Maxey after the Philadelphia 76ers fall to the Indiana Pacers on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Pacers vs. 76ers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 14
Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 2d -
Pacers vs. 76ers odds, line, prediction, start time: 2025 NBA picks, March 14 best bets from proven model
SportsLine's model simulated Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers 10,000 times and revealed its NBA picks for FridayCBS Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Bruno Fernandes hits back at stinging Roy Keane criticism after big Man Utd win
Keane had slated Fernandes’s leadership and claimed he isn’t a fighterYahoo Sports - 22m -
Manchester City see host of clubs line up for out-of-favour forward amid Pep Guardiola frustrations
Jack Grealish is set to attract widespread interest at the end of the season and is looking to leave Manchester City after four years at the Etihad Stadium, as per reports.The 29-year-old is ...Yahoo Sports - 23m -
How Dan Burn, Newcastle’s local boy and ungainly colossus, ended 70 years of pain
Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle United: Dan Burn and Alexander Isak secure glory at Wembley to end the Magpies’ droughtYahoo Sports - 45m -
World Indoor Track and Field Championships 2025: How to watch, schedule, preview
How to watch the 2025 World Indoor Track and Field Championships from Nanjing, China.Yahoo Sports - 45m -
Commanders bring back key defensive line reserve for 2025
The Washington Commanders brought back a key reserve from their 2024 defensive line on Sunday night.Yahoo Sports - 46m
More in Sports
-
Bruno Fernandes hits back at stinging Roy Keane criticism after big Man Utd win
Keane had slated Fernandes’s leadership and claimed he isn’t a fighterYahoo Sports - 22m -
Manchester City see host of clubs line up for out-of-favour forward amid Pep Guardiola frustrations
Jack Grealish is set to attract widespread interest at the end of the season and is looking to leave Manchester City after four years at the Etihad Stadium, as per reports.The 29-year-old is ...Yahoo Sports - 23m -
Source: Pulisic in talks over new AC Milan deal
United States national team star Christian Pulisic is in negotiations with AC Milan over a new contract, a source has told ESPN.ESPN - 41m -
How Dan Burn, Newcastle’s local boy and ungainly colossus, ended 70 years of pain
Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle United: Dan Burn and Alexander Isak secure glory at Wembley to end the Magpies’ droughtYahoo Sports - 45m -
World Indoor Track and Field Championships 2025: How to watch, schedule, preview
How to watch the 2025 World Indoor Track and Field Championships from Nanjing, China.Yahoo Sports - 45m