Philly Sports Max’s Quick Hits: Jimmy Butler, New Look 76ers Thriving

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Jimmy Butler

The 76ers began the week with an 8-6 record and played four games this week to improve to 11-7, let’s take a look at some quick hits:

Road Woes No More:

Since starting 0-5 on the road, the 76ers have found a way to start winning games on the road. After getting their first road win against the Indiana Pacers last week, the 76ers have started to build on that momentum.

Philadelphia began the week on the road in Miami and found a way to win while waiting for Jimmy Butler to arrive.

The young team had to play in Miami without Robert Covington and Dario Saric, who had been traded earlier in the week. Without their top wings, the 76ers gutted out a win in Florida.

The 76ers dropped a tough game in Orlando against the Magic on Wednesday night, which was Jimmy Butler’s debut.

After a bounce-back win against the Utah Jazz at home on Friday, the 76ers headed back on the road to face the Charlotte Hornets, for the third time in the young season.

Kemba Walker had a monster 60-point game but still fell short, as the 76ers recorded yet another road win on Saturday night thanks to Jimmy Butler.

New Look Sixers: 

The new starting five, as of Wednesday’s tilt with the Orlando Magic, is Ben Simmons, JJ Redick, Jimmy Butler, Wilson Chandler, and Joel Embiid.

With the arrival of Butler, the experiment of Markelle Fultz effectively came to an end.

Now Fultz will be coming off the bench for the foreseeable future, and it may bode well for his psyche. Redick has returned to starting five for the first time in 2018, and all of the sudden, 76ers look to have some major offensive firepower. 

With the departure of Saric, there was a significant hole left at the power forward. Chandler has been the answer so far and has looked good.

Chandler played a great game against the Magic, posting 14 points, including a huge three late in the game, and a pretty reverse slam. It was refreshing to see Chandler show he still has a ton of jump left as the 31-year-old is in his 11th season. 

Jimmy Buckets:

It has been less than a week since the 76ers acquired Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and it is already becoming an incredibly popular move in Philadelphia.

Butler who has now played three games with the 76ers has found a way to make an immediate and significant impact. After dropping his 76ers debut in Orlando, Butler had an incredible night against the Jazz, in his home debut for Philadelphia. 

Butler recorded 28 points against the Jazz, along with seven assists, and shot a remarkable 80 percent from the field.

76ers fans were reasonably excited to get a star on the team that can finish games. Simmons and Butler would hook up on an inbound play late in the fourth quarter to ice the game.

Speaking of finishing games, Jimmy Butler was CLUTCH to finish Saturday night’s game against the Hornets.

In the guts of overtime, Butler denied Walker and saved a ball from going out of bounds to give the 76ers the last shot in overtime. Butler then took that shot and drained a three-pointer to win the game for the 76ers, as seen in the clip above. JIMMY. G. BUCKETS.

A Look Ahead:

The 76ers will play four games next week. Here is their slate: 

Monday, Nov. 19: vs. Phoenix Suns

Wednesday, Nov. 21: vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Friday, Nov. 23: vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Sunday, Nov 25: @ Brooklyn Nets

Game of The Week: vs. New Orleans Pelicans (Nov. 21)

The 76ers will host three home games next week, and all of which are very winnable contests.

My pick for this week is Wednesday night’s tilt against the New Orleans Pelicans and Anthony Davis. The 9-7 Pelicans have struggled to start the season, but with Anthony Davis on your team, any game is winnable.

Davis has now notched back-to-back 40 point performances after their 125-115 win against the Denver Nuggets.

Davis is averaging 27 points, 12.7 boards, and just under three blocks per game in 2018.

After giving up 60 to Kemba Walker, and a career game to Blake Griffin earlier this season, I expect Davis to have a big night next week against Philly. Should be a good one on the eve of Thanksgiving in South Philly.


For all things 76ers, make sure to keep up with Basketball Society on social media. Talk to me personally on Twitter @PhillySportsMax, and I will see y’all next week.

 

 

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