Brett Brown: ‘It’s going to take until past Christmas’ for Sixers to find their rhythm
The 76ers have failed to score at least 17 points in the fourth quarter of three of their last four games.
ORLANDO — The 76ers look like a lost team with no identity, and a team that disappears in the fourth quarter.
Wednesday night’s 112-97 setback to the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center was the latest example. The struggling Magic outscored the Sixers, 32-15, in the final 12 minutes, handing Philly its fourth loss in its last six games.
Struggling late in games, the Sixers (7-4) have failed to score at least 17 points in the fourth quarter in three of their last four outings. They averaged 14.6 points in the final quarters of those three games, against the Magic, the Cavaliers (Tuesday), and the Nuggets (Friday).
Tobias Harris has missed 23 consecutive three-pointers and teammates haven’t been much better. The Sixers are shooting just 32.8% on threes this season. They’re also third in the league in turnovers at 18.0 per game. And Joel Embiid is out of shape and has missed four of the team’s 11 games.
“I cut this thing up into thirds in my head and my heart,” coach Brett Brown said of breaking down the season. “I think it’s going to take until past Christmas to find a rhythm beat to what we’re doing. I look forward to having a consistent rotation with Joel in the mix."
The Sixers, who currently reside in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, will look to break out of their funk Friday night at Oklahoma City.