Updated: 7:10 p.m.
Good news for the Sixers is there’s always another game just around the corner in the NBA.
Is one day enough time to get their offense clicking? We’ll see when the Sixers host the Chicago Bulls.
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Despite allowing 105 points to the Boston Celtics in Tuesday’s season-opening loss, the Sixers were satisfied with their defensive effort. It was the offensive end that left them scratching their heads.
Even for the first game of the season, the Sixers were pretty rough in all areas of scoring the ball. They shot 39.1 percent from the field, 19.2 percent from three-point range and 58.3 percent from the three-point line.
Toss in the 16 turnovers, and it was an all-around miserable offensive night in Beantown.
“It was the first game, but there’s no excuses,” Embiid said to reporters after the loss. “We didn’t execute offensively. Defensively, I thought we were OK. They made a lot of tough shots, but I thought offensively we did not move the ball at all. We had a few games and a lot of practices to work on what we were supposed to do and we didn’t do it.”
• Even Embiid’s team-high 23 points were a struggle as he took 21 shots to hit that mark.
NBA
Now the All-Star will look to improve on that total against … a rookie?
Yep. Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg has opted to start Duke one-and-done Wendell Carter, Jr. at center in his NBA debut.
“Joel Embiid was one of my role models growing up,” Carter said before practice Wednesday (see story). “He was someone I always wanted to pattern my game after. Just to go up against him is a remarkable feeling. He’s a very physical player. He’s a very talented player. I’m going to be able to stack up and see what all I need to work on to last in this league.”
Good luck, kid.
• While the Sixers are doing things a little unorthodox with their starting lineup by using Markelle Fultz in the first half and JJ Redick in the second, the Bulls have a bit of a surprising first group of their own beyond the Carter decision.
Former No. 2 overall pick (ahead of Embiid) and Chicago native Jabari Parker will come of the bench. With power forward Lauri Markkanen sidelined, the Bulls will go with a starting five of Cameron Payne, Zach LaVine, Justin Holiday, Bobby Portis and Carter. Kris Dunn, the Bulls' usual starting point guard, is away from the team because his girlfriend gave birth.
An extremely athletic group, but far from defensive-minded at all times. The Bulls finished 27th in opponents’ points per game last season with 110.0 and gave up 115.3 in three matchups against the Sixers.
Below are the essentials for the opener.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Broadcast: TNT (Pregame and Postgame Live on NBC Sports Philadelphia+)
Live stream: Pregame and Postgame Live on NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com
Roster
Jerryd Bayless, G, 6-3/210, No. 0
Jonah Bolden, F, 6-10, 220, No. 43
Wilson Chandler, F, 6-9/225, No. 22
Robert Covington, F, 6-9/225, No. 33
Joel Embiid, C, 7-0/260, No. 21
Markelle Fultz, G, 6-4/200, No. 20
* Demetrius Jackson, G, 6-1/200, No. 11
Amir Johnson, F/C, 6-9/240, No. 5
Furkan Korkmaz, G/F, 6-7/185, No. 30
T.J. McConnell, G, 6-2/190, No. 12
* Shake Milton, G, 6-6/205, No. 18
Mike Muscala, F/C, 6-11/240, No. 31
JJ Redick, G 6-4/195, No. 17 13
Dario Saric, F, 6-10/250, No. 9
Landry Shamet, G, 6-5/190, No. 23
Ben Simmons, G/F, 6-10/230, No. 25
Zhaire Smith, G, 6-4/200, No. 8
* Two-way player
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