Post-Game

Jimmy Butler Steals The Show: Sixers-Hornets Recap

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WOW! WHAT A GAME! This game tonight between the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets was one for the ages. A roller coaster of a game that saw a historic performance from Kemba Walker foiled by Jimmy Butlers heroics.

The Sixers began the game shooting 11 of 6 from the field in the first 4 minutes and 44 second of the first quarter. Joel Embiid came out to another fast start, shooting 7 of 8 from the field with 18 points. J.J. Redick was also making it rain with 11 points on 4 of 5 shooting (3/4 3PT) in the first. The Sixers seemed in charge and at the conclusion of the first quarter they lead 42-30.

After the first half though, Joel and his teammates began to struggle. Although Joel coming out of half was 8 of 12 from the field with 23 points, he ended up going just 1 of 11 the rest of the way.  Even with Joel struggling for much of the second half, he still managed 33 points by converting 13 of his 14 free throws in the game. Kemba Walker was absolutely sensational through the contest though for Charlotte and accounted for 50.4% of Charlottes total points for the game. Kemba was majorly responsible for the 76ers letting a 17 point lead slip away. Charlotte outscored the Sixers in the second and third quarters by a combined 56-40 and took a 86-82 lead.

Kemba in the second half was playing with a fire under him. It seemed like no matter how tightly covered he was, it was going in. Down the stretch Walker kept the Hornets in the game time and time again making what seemed like every shot he took. Kemba set a career high in points tonight dropping 60, 37 of those coming in the second half.

In the fourth quarter the 76ers came out with a 13-5 run, but Kemba fought and clawed for Charlotte to stay in the game. Ben Simmons played out of his mind in the final frame recording 8 of his 23 for the game. On a night where Jimmy Butler didn’t do much for most of the game, Ben picked up his point production. Ben was 9 of 11 from the line… yes you read that correctly. Ben Simmons was 81% from the foul line.  The game came down to a last second opportunity for Jimmy Butler to give the Sixers a win, but he back rimmed it, and the game went to overtime.

In overtime, Jimmy Butler made the best defensive play of the season, and maybe of his career by blocking Kemba Walker with the game on the line. This is why Elton Brand pulled the trigger to acquire Butler. Crucial overtime moments like this when you need a big time player to step up and make a big time play. Following the block with 11.1 seconds remaining, the 76ers put the ball back in their new teammates hands. I can assure you they forgot about the first miss, because Jimmy cashed out and drained the game winning 3 giving the Sixers a 122-119 victory.

After it seemed like Kemba Walker had an answer for everything the Sixers threw at him, Jimmy Butler came up with the two biggest plays of the Sixers season. I’m not saying the Sixers are immediate contenders, but this team was a Jimmy Butler away. After so many times of coming up on the short end of these games (because they lacked a late game assassin), we finally have him. The Sixers return to action Monday at 7 pm vs. Phoenix.

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