The Sacramento Kings were at a distinct size disadvantage against the Philadelphia 76ers. With a starting lineup featuring the 6’9 Ben Simmons at point guard and a power forward/center combination of Al Horford and Joel Embiid, the Kings look positively tiny in comparison. The Sixers controlled the glass and held the Kings to only 41.1% shooting from the field.

Embiid and Horford in particular were unstoppable. Embiid was the headliner with 33 points and 16 rebounds, dominating the Kings by scoring all over the court and drawing fouls to get to the free throw line. But Horford was a quiet killer as well, scoring efficiently in the post to the tune of 12 points on only 9 shots, scoring over every defender the Kings threw at him. Matisse Thybulle came off the bench and changed the game with his shooting and defense. Thybulle was perfect from the field, scoring 15 points on 5/5 shooting, including 3/3 from three point range.

Unfortunately the Kings couldn’t make the Sixers pay with their shooting. Their recent uptick in play has coincided with some great shooting, particularly by Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Unfortunately, the Kings shooters really struggled, in no small part due to the 76ers defense. In particular, Thybulle was a menace, completely blanketing Hield, blocking a couple of his threes while picking Buddy’s pockets when Buddy got too casual with the ball. Hield finished with 22 points on 24 shots with three turnovers, and Bogdanovic scored 17 points on 15 shots.

Overall, the Kings now stand at 7-10 on the season, and the schedule doesn’t get any easier with the Denver Nuggets next up on the slate. Marvin Bagley cannot come back soon enough.

Random Observations