The Philadelphia 76ers just lost their fourth game this season, putting them back in a tie for fifth place in the East as of this writing. Against the Pistons, who lead the pack in the conference, a loss isn’t exactly the end of the world, especially since the team is playing in the second leg of a back-to-back. Without sounding defeatist, this one is quite understandable.
That said, only the result can be excused. After all, this was a close affair before the Pistons managed to make enough stops to stave off the hosts. It is their body of work after halftime that deserves examination, as they had opened a double-digit lead after the second quarter during the third frame.
The 76ers lost the third quarter for the ninth time in 10 games – a shocking feat for a team that has, for the most part, built significant leads. It seems like they can’t stop doing it after the break, and it has become the most disturbing trend for this group that cannot simply be ignored.
The 76ers have a problem in the third quarter and it’s killing them
Philadelphia has only won once in the third quarter this season in their NBA Cup appearance against the Celtics, which ironically culminated in a one-point loss. And even then, the 76ers only outscored them by four points in that period, so it’s pretty safe to say the third quarter proved to be their Achilles heel.
Looking at the numbers, the 76ers rank last in the league in third quarter scoring, averaging just 23.4 points. They also had the third most turnovers in that period, further entrenching them as the worst team in the league after halftime.
When – not if – they make the playoffs, the 76ers will likely be bitten back by this terrible habit they’ve formed. The bulk of the on-field adjustments happen at halftime, and if this team still comes out on top after the break, there’s no doubt the teams will relish it and set the tone early for the second half.
Coming out strong after the break despite having a big lead is a sign of maturity, and right now the 76ers just don’t have that in their DNA. It will be imperative to change that so they don’t become susceptible to teams that adapt quickly.
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