Summer League Sixers fall to Jazz, 84-80

ORLANDO - Although it was an improvement from Monday's lackluster performance, the result was still the same as the 76ers lost to the Utah Jazz, 84-80, at the Amway Center on Tuesday afternoon.

The loss moves the Sixers to 0-2 in the Orlando Summer League after falling to the Indiana Pacers, 69-63, on Monday.

For the second consecutive day, the Sixers received strong performances from rookie guard Jacob Pullen, who had 23 points and four assists, and rookie forward Justin Holiday, who had 16 points and 7 rebounds.

But the Sixers could not overcome Alec Burks' 31-point effort. The second-year shooting guard was 10 of 14 from the field for the Jazz and also made 10 free throws.

"I don't fault our guys' effort because they went out there and played tough," Sixers assistant coach and summer league head coach Aaron McKie said. "There were segments of the game where they got out in transition, made easy baskets and got to the free-throw line."

Rookie forward Maurice Harkless missed the second half with a left hip flexor strain, and second-year big man Nik Vucevic was held out of action for the second day in a row with a lower leg injury.

The Sixers continue Summer League play Wednesday at 3 p.m. against the Brooklyn Nets.

Play of the day. Holiday exhibited good athleticism throughout, but made an exceptionally solid play when he caught a pass in transition, seamlessly attacked the rim, drew a foul, and finished at the basket to cut the Sixers' deficit to 80-75 with a little more than two minutes remaining. However, he missed the ensuing free throw.

Upside. Pullen, a combo guard who went undrafted out of Kansas State in 2011, built on his strong late-game performance from Monday. He was consistent shooting from all over the floor, including a 4-for-7 performance from beyond the arc, and displayed the ability to create his own shot and get others involved. The Sixers might be looking for a veteran backup point guard in free agency, but Pullen is putting on a strong audition.

Downside. Second-year guard Xavier Silas, who ended last season on the Sixers' roster and could be battling for a roster spot this season, was unable to contain Burks through the duration of the contest. He also shot 25 percent from the field and had a plus/minus rating of minus-six.

Quote. Holiday, on whether the Sixers will compare him to his younger brother, Sixers guard Jrue: "I think they understand that we're two different people, but at the same time they know my work ethic because I've been here practicing with them, they know what I'm going to do. I don't think that really has anything to do with it."