Skip to content
Sixers
Link copied to clipboard

'Best' & 'Worst' awards: Sixers vs. Hawks

My look at some of the best and worst performances and happenings from  the Atlanta Hawks' 125-99 victory over the 76ers on Friday at Wells Fargo Center:

Best performance: How can you not give this award to Thaddeus Young? Sure Hawks reserve power forward Elton Brand produced a season-high 18 points and eight rebounds in a rout of his former team. But anyone who witnessed the game realizes that Young was the standout. The Sixers power forward made 11 of 19 shots – including three of his four three-point attempts to finish with a game-high 29 points despite sitting out the fourth quarter. Sixteen of his points came in the first quarter.

Worst performance: It seems unfair to give this to James Anderson, considering teammate Tony Wroten shot 1-for-13 from the field. But at least Wroten made a basket and scored six points. Anderson was held scoreless after missing his six shot attempts. He also had three costly turnovers in 28 minutes of action.

Best defensive performance:  One thing is for sure. We know this award doesn't go to a Sixer.  Yes, their defense was that awful. But that's another story.  Meanwhile, Paul Millsap showed the Sixers why he's an NBA all-star.  The Hawks power forward had a season-high six steals and two blocked shots. All four of his rebounds came on the defensive end. He also finished with 12 points and three assists. Not bad for only playing 26 minutes.

Best performance by a Hawk:  Brand wins this award after producing his best performance of the season. The 15th-year veteran, who the Sixers gave up on, made 8 of 12 shot attempts while schooling his opponents.

Worst statistic: You have to give this to the Sixers in the turnover department. They finished with 21 turnovers, with nine came in the first 5 minutes, 6 seconds of the game. Six were on consecutive possessions. You'll never win a game starting like that.

Best statistic: This award goes to the Hawks in the assist department.  They had 36 assists on 45 made baskets.

Best of the Best: This goes to Kyle Korver extending his NBA three-point record.  The Hawks guard made 3 of 6  in what was his 114th consecutive game with at least one made three-pointer.

Worst of the Worst:  This award goes to Sixers' performance down the stretch. Fans in attendance receive free Big Macs from McDonald's whenever the Sixers score at least 100 points during home games. They had 99 with 2:43 left. However, they missed their final six shot attempts and stuck on 99.. Two of those misses were one-foot layups. Another one was a layup from three feet out.  As one can imagine, the fans booed and several Hawks chuckled from the bench  in the closing seconds.

Follow and contact Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers