Trendon Watford achieved his first NBA triple-double in his first start for the Sixers, leading them to a 130-120 victory over the Raptors, while the team also saw strong performances from Maxey and Embiid, and adjustments in backup center roles with Drummond gaining prominence.
Trendon Watford achieved his first career triple-double, leading the Sixers to a 130-120 victory over the Raptors, with standout performances from Maxey and Embiid, while the team faces defensive and rebounding challenges.
The Brooklyn Nets secured a thrilling 109-105 victory over the Miami Heat, showcasing their real identity as a team that rebounds well and pushes in transition. Despite missing key players, the Nets fought back from a 15-point deficit and got contributions from all ten players on the court. Trendon Watford and Armoni Brooks made significant impacts off the bench, with Watford's scoring aggression standing out. Coach Jacque Vaughn faces tough decisions with the team's newfound depth, but his substitution patterns have largely worked in the Nets' favor.
The Portland Trail Blazers lost to the Chicago Bulls 124-96 in a game where they were missing their top players due to injuries. Despite the loss, the Blazers showed some hustle and effort on defense, forcing turnovers and converting them into fast break points. However, their lack of skilled one-on-one scorers and inexperience showed in the halfcourt offense, leading to a poor shooting night from beyond the arc. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 33 points, while Shaedon Sharpe scored 24 for the Blazers. Trendon Watford and Drew Eubanks also had solid performances for Portland.