Three reasons the Sixers lost to New Orleans

The 76ers were outhustled, outplayed and outscored in Friday’s 101-94 loss at New Orleans. Here are three reasons for the loss.

Zion Williamson might be 285 pounds, but he was simply too quick off the dribble for the variety of defenders the Sixers used on him.

None of them worked. The Sixers used Ben Simmons, Matisse Thybulle, Mike Scott, and Danny Green on Williamson.

When Williamson beats a player off the dribble, nobody wants to come from the weakside and attempt to take a charge. This layup late in the fourth quarter is an example, as he had a clear path to the basket.

Simmons began the game on Williamson, and while Simmons is a defensive player of the year candidate, he may not want to put this game on his resume tape. Williamson continually beat Simmons going to his left.

Even when the Sixers made Williamson go to his right, he was still effective. And not only did Williamson score, but his passing ability was on display. Williamson did a great job reading the double-team and then hitting an open teammate.

Here is an outstanding bounce pass to Jaxson Hayes.

With 37 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists, this was simply one of the best games of his two-year professional career. His performance was needed, especially since the rest of the Pelicans starters shot a combined 11-for-39.

» READ MORE: Dwight Howard thriving as a rebounding machine for Sixers

Steven Adams is a rugged player who doesn’t have much finesse in his game, but he did an outstanding job on Joel Embiid.

Usually Embiid has great success with the pump fake, getting a defender to commit and then driving to the basket. Adams wasn’t going for the fakes and he basically forced Embiid into being a jump shooter.

Embiid shot just 5-of-16, including 0-for-3 from three-point range.

Adams also contributed three steals and three blocked shots in a stellar defensive performance.

Seth Curry missed all seven of his shots from the field, including both from three-point range. He also didn’t get to the foul line.

It was a rough night for Curry because he had good looks, especially on a missed layup in the third quarter.