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Five observations from Sixers' preseason loss to Celtics

Key takeaways from the 76ers' 110-102 loss Friday night to the Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center.

Sixers’ Robert Covington and Jahlil Okafor try for a loose ball with the Celtics’ Marcus Smart.
Sixers’ Robert Covington and Jahlil Okafor try for a loose ball with the Celtics’ Marcus Smart.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
    by Keith Pompey | Columnist
    Published 

Key takeaways from the 76ers' 110-102 loss Friday night to the Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center.

  1. Ben Simmons might not be the defensive liability guarding smaller players folks predicted. The 6-foot-10 point guard showed, with some work, his length could cause fits as a situational on-ball defender.

  2. Veterans J.J. Redick (3-for-3 on three-pointers), Amir Johnson (2-3) and Jerryd Bayless (3-5) will provide the shooting depth the Sixers will need to be effective this season. They combined to make 8 of 11 threes.

  3. The Sixers still turn the ball over at a high rate. They had 24 Friday night and a total of 39 through two preseason games.

  4. Jahlil Okafor's effort is the best that it's ever been as a Sixer. Perhaps it has a lot to do with finally not having to worry about his right knee. But the reserve center has been tenacious on both ends of the floor.

  5. The Sixers can't make foul shots. They made just 10 of 24 free throws Friday and 26 of 43 this preseason.