Yabusele's spark, poor perimeter defense highlight Sixers' loss to Lakers
by Keith Pompey
The 76ers’ perimeter defense needs a lot of work. Guerschon Yabusele has been one of the team’s best free-agent acquisitions. And Eric Gordon didn’t see the floor. Those three things stood out in the Sixers’ 116-106 loss at the Los Angeles Lakers to conclude a three-game West Coast road trip.
Mark J. Terrill / AP
The 76ers’ perimeter defense needs a lot of work. Guerschon Yabusele has been one of the team’s best free-agent acquisitions. And Eric Gordon didn’t see the floor. Those three things stood out in the Sixers’ 116-106 loss at the Los Angeles Lakers to conclude a three-game West Coast road trip.
Mark J. Terrill / AP
Perimeter defense woes
Mark J. Terrill / AP
The Sixers' three-point defense was ranked the second worst in the NBA heading into Friday’s game. Their first seven opponents combined to shoot 39.5% from deep. So you figured the Lakers would try to take advantage of that.
Perimeter defense woes
The Sixers' three-point defense was ranked the second worst in the NBA heading into Friday’s game. Their first seven opponents combined to shoot 39.5% from deep. So you figured the Lakers would try to take advantage of that.
Mark J. Terrill / AP
The Lakers exploited the Sixers' weakness and were extremely successful in doing so. Los Angeles made five of its first seven three-pointers en route to shooting 45.7% (16-of-35) from deep on Friday night.
The Lakers exploited the Sixers' weakness and were extremely successful in doing so. Los Angeles made five of its first seven three-pointers en route to shooting 45.7% (16-of-35) from deep on Friday night.
Yabusele's impact
Mark J. Terrill / AP
The "Dancing Bear" Yabusele has made a solid impact for the Sixers as their current backup center. Against the Lakers, the 6-foot-8, 265-pounder had 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting, including making 3 of 4 three-pointers.
Yabusele's impact
The "Dancing Bear" Yabusele has made a solid impact for the Sixers as their current backup center. Against the Lakers, the 6-foot-8, 265-pounder had 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting, including making 3 of 4 three-pointers.
Mark J. Terrill / AP
11 of his 14 total points came on his 4-for-4 shooting in the first half. This performance comes after Yabusele had career highs of 19 points and five three-pointers earlier this week. He’ll likely move to power forward, his natural position, when Joel Embiid makes his season debut on Tuesday against the Charlotte Hornets.
Charles Fox / Staff Photographer
11 of his 14 total points came on his 4-for-4 shooting in the first half. This performance comes after Yabusele had career highs of 19 points and five three-pointers earlier this week. He’ll likely move to power forward, his natural position, when Joel Embiid makes his season debut on Tuesday against the Charlotte Hornets.
Charles Fox / Staff Photographer
No Gordon
Darron Cummings / AP
Gordon did not play, a coach’s decision, for the first time this season. Instead, guards Ricky Council IV and Reggie Jackson were the newcomers to the Sixers rotation. Jackson, a point guard, replaced an injured Tyrese Maxey.
No Gordon
Gordon did not play, a coach’s decision, for the first time this season. Instead, guards Ricky Council IV and Reggie Jackson were the newcomers to the Sixers rotation. Jackson, a point guard, replaced an injured Tyrese Maxey.
Darron Cummings / AP
KJ Martin also got some of the minutes that Gordon would have received. This comes after Gordon scored one point on 0-for-2 shooting in Wednesday’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. He's averaged 5.5 points while shooting a combined 3-for-8 in his last two games.
Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
KJ Martin also got some of the minutes that Gordon would have received. This comes after Gordon scored one point on 0-for-2 shooting in Wednesday’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. He's averaged 5.5 points while shooting a combined 3-for-8 in his last two games.
