Embiid steadies Sixers in preseason finale loss to Boston
The Sixers lost 125-120 to Boston 12 hours ago, but Joel Embiid’s 27 points gave Philly something usable to carry forward. ESPN’s game data showed Philadelphia shot better overall than Boston, but the Celtics won the glass 63-46 and forced enough extra possessions to finish the job.
Preseason finale showed the scoring core
Per ESPN, Embiid led the Sixers with 27 points and 8 rebounds. LeBron James finished with 8 points and a team-high 7 assists, a sign that the ball was moving even if the closing stretch still needs work.
The basic shape was encouraging: Philadelphia shot 45 percent from the field, but only 18 percent from three, and the turnover count was still 18. That is the part that matters most now, because the offense can survive a cold perimeter night if the rhythm improves before the games count next week. [3] [1]
The warning sign was the rebounds
Boston’s 63-46 edge on the boards was the cleanest explanation for the result. Even with Joel Embiid controlling the paint at times, the Sixers gave up too many extra chances, and that showed up in a game they otherwise had enough scoring to win.
That is the main takeaway from the box score, not the final score itself. Philly can live with uneven shooting in October; it cannot afford a steady rebounding gap if it wants the rotation to settle quickly. [3]
Sources: ESPN
Roster churn is still part of the picture
Earlier this week, PhillyVoice reported the Sixers waived Duke Miles and Saint Thomas and signed Taye Fields and Cris Carroll, which is another reminder that the back end of the roster is still fluid. Those moves matter because the final preseason looks are not just about the stars, but about who can actually hold up around them once the regular season starts.
The bigger story, though, is that the team is still searching for clean fit and timing. ESPN’s report made the point that Embiid rejected the idea that anyone needs to sacrifice for this team, but the practical question remains how all of these pieces settle into a workable rhythm. [11] [3]
Sources: PhillyVoice, ESPN
Further reading
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