Philadelphia 76ers misplaced the preseason finale 114-99 to the Orlando Magic on the street Friday as they now flip their consideration to the common season. The Sixers misplaced Tyrese Maxey within the first quarter to a bruised proper thumb, however coach Nick Nurse stated afterward that it was only a precaution.
The Sixers had been led by Kelly Oubre Jr. who had 17 factors whereas Andre Drummond added 12 factors and 20 rebounds on a giant night time. Ricky Council IV had 13 factors coming off the bench, Caleb Martin had 10 factors and Guerschon Yabusele added 9 and 6 rebounds.
Listed below are the three predominant takeaways for the Sixers because the preseason concludes:
Who performs ringleader on opening night time?
We now have to imagine that Maxey can be able to go. The child is hard and Philadelphia’s reasoning for holding Maxey out on Friday was precautionary, contemplating it was solely preseason. Nevertheless, within the occasion of an unexpected setback, who does the nurse flip to?
His choices are stable. He can flip to Kyle Lowry or Reggie Jackson to fill Philadelphia’s spot. Lowry had a stable exhibition schedule and was a starter for the Sixers within the 2023-24 season and has all that have with Nurse. However, Jackson averaged 10.2 factors for the Denver Nuggets whereas enjoying in all 82 video games the earlier season. If Maxey cannot go, the Sixers have greater than stable backup choices.
Does Eric Gordon begin?
The Sixers have began Gordon in 4 of these six preseason video games, so you need to imagine he can be within the beginning lineup come opening night time. It gives a fast and environment friendly set off deep to area the ground at a excessive stage, permitting the offense to stream. He additionally stays a tricky defender on the perimeter regardless of losses right here and there. Nurse appears to love Gordon’s steadiness with the starters and Caleb Martin coming off the bench.
What’s the function of Guerschon Yabusele?
Yabusele is an influence ahead by nature, so he’ll possible get loads of minutes at that spot, however with Joel Embiid’s standing up within the air, you need to imagine he’ll additionally see minutes on the 5. He has loads of measurement and power, making him choice for the Sixers to show to. He may also knock opposing facilities out of the paint because of his taking pictures means, so one has to suppose that Nurse will give him some perception as each an influence ahead and a middle.
This text was initially printed on Sixers Wire: 3 greatest takeaways for Sixers from preseason finale loss to Magic
