The Sixers’ Matisse Thybulle is feeling comfortable on both ends of the court | Off the Dribble
While his defensive ability is well-documented, Thybulle has shot better from three-point range since the All-Star break.
The 76ers had the luxury of two days off but return to action for Monday’s 7 p.m. game at the Wells Fargo Center against the Golden State Warriors.
Friday’s 106-103 win over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers was the Sixers’ fourth consecutive victory. Among many reasons for the success of the Sixers (39-17) is the way players have accepted their roles. One player in particular who has settled into his role is Matisse Thybulle, who has been a defensive stopper all season and has gotten more comfortable lately on the offensive end.
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Showing some offensive progress
Thybulle’s work on defense has been well documented. Even though he is averaging only 19.4 minutes, Thybulle entered Sunday 15th in the NBA in steals (1.5 per game) and first in steals per 100 possessions (3.6) among players who have appeared in 20 or more games. He is also averaging 2.4 blocks per 100 possessions.
In the playoffs, his defense will be needed, but Thybulle also will have to prove himself on the offensive end. He understands that, but also realizes it is important not to force the issue.
“We have enough big guns on offense to where my job out there it to try to complement them as best as I can,” Thybulle said Friday.
That said, for Thybulle to receive more playing time, he will have to show that he can hit the three-pointer because teams will give him the open shot. For the season, he is shooting 30.7% from thee-point range, but in 20 games since the All-Star break, he is shooting 36.7%, the league average.
“It took me some time to get comfortable out there,” Thybulle said. “The beginning of the season was weird and a little rocky for me. Post All-Star, I have felt a lot more comfortable, a lot more confident.”
Thybulle credits coach Doc Rivers for helping him feel that comfort.
“I think Doc has been good about being consistent,” Thybulle said. “What he has asked of me and expects me to do has been pretty consistent the whole season, and I am in a good place, knowing what he wants and knowing what I can do.”
Starting five
Golden State’s Stephen Curry is on a career-best scoring streak as he comes to Philadelphia for Monday’s game against the Sixers, although he hurt his ankle Saturday and is listed as questionable for the game.
Mike Sielski writes that over the years, despite the proximity, there hasn’t been a good rivalry between the Sixers and either the Knicks or Nets. Sielski contends that this could be changing, with the Nets and Sixers considered the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.
Keith Pompey offers his best/worst awards for the Sixers’ win Friday over the Clippers.
In this season in which the Sixers and many other teams have lost players for considerable time because of injuries and health and safety protocols, an unlikely candidate, Anthony Tolliver, contributed to Philly’s most recent win in his first action in more than eight months.
Pompey writes that George Hill has been upgraded to questionable for Monday’s game, which means he could make his Sixers debut against the Warriors.
One of Wilt’s dominant records
Golden State’s Stephen Curry is on the hottest streak in his career, having scored 30 or more points in 10 consecutive games. That is second in franchise history, but a little bit behind the all-time leader: Wilt Chamberlain.
It’s always interesting to look at how dominating Chamberlain was. In 1961-62, he scored 30 or more points in an NBA-record 65 consecutive games with the Philadelphia Warriors.
Here are some fun facts about this incredible streak. Chamberlain’s game-by-game stats are provided by basketball-reference.com.
The most he scored during this streak was 78 points, but the Warriors lost, 151-147, in triple overtime at home to the Los Angeles Lakers. Chamberlain played 63 minutes and also had 43 rebounds. Elgin Baylor had 63 points and 31 rebounds for the Lakers.
Chamberlain’s closest call during the streak was when he scored 31 points to increase his streak to 10. That came in a 119-106 home loss to Boston. Chamberlain shot just 12-for-34 from the field and 7-for-12 from the foul line while playing all 48 minutes.
The streak ended when he scored 26 points in a 109-86 home loss to the Celtics on Feb. 24, 1962. Chamberlain shot 11-for-24 from the field, and 4-for-13 from the foul line.
Four games after the streak ended, Chamberlain produced his iconic 100-point game in a 169-147 win over the New York Knicks in Hershey.
Important dates
Monday: Golden State Warriors at Sixers, 7:30 p.m., Wells Fargo Center, ESPN
Wednesday: Phoenix Suns at Sixers, 7 p.m., Wells Fargo Center, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBA TV
Thursday: Sixers at Milwaukee Bucks, 7 p.m., Fiserv Forum, TNT
Saturday: Sixers at Milwaukee Bucks, 3:30 p.m., Fiserv Forum, ESPN
April 26: Oklahoma City Thunder at Sixers, 7 p.m., Wells Fargo Center, 7, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Passing the rock
Question: Can Ben Simmons back up his defensive player of the year comments by holding Steph Curry to under 30 points? — Jeremy Rubin on Facebook.
Answer: Thanks for the question, Jeremy. As noted in our story on Curry, we’re not sure he will be able to play after rolling his ankle during Saturday’s 119-114 loss in Boston. He is listed as questionable on the official NBA injury report. Keep in mind that if Curry plays and even if Simmons opens on him, he likely wouldn’t play him the entire game.
Curry’s best asset is his quickness, which he uses to gain separation, and that gives him the room to launch three-pointers. Simmons’ 6-foot-10 height could give him problems, but Curry should still get open shots. My guess is that if Curry is healthy enough to play, he will score 30 or more points on Ben and other defenders Rivers will use to slow him.
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