Oubre, KJ Martin shine, McCain take nasty fall as Sixers beat Nets in penultimate preseason game

Kelly Oubre, Jr. led all scorers with 18 points while KJ Martin continued to look like a rotation player in the Sixers’ preseason win over the Nets Wednesday.

Put everyone in bubble wrap on Friday.

The Sixers won their penultimate preseason game 117-95 over the Brooklyn Nets, though they may have another injury to deal with as Jared McCain left the game after a hard fall late in the fourth quarter.

Kelly Oubre Jr. led the Sixers with 18 points, shooting 5-of-8 from the floor while adding two boards and one assist. KJ Martin went for 12 points, rebounds, two assists and a steal. Tyrese Maxey shot 2-of-7 from the field for seven points and five assists.

Ben Simmons did not suit up for Brooklyn tonight, while Joel Embiid, Paul George and Kyle Lowry were out for the Sixers.

Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.

First Quarter

• For the second game in a row, Eric Gordon was in the starting lineup, and he was all over the place. He got plenty of shots up early, knocking down a pair of threes, and also had some highlights on defense as well. He stole a pass from an unsuspecting Cam Thomas to start a fast break and blocked a Thomas pull-up three a couple possessions later.
• It’s definitely notable how many more lob options are on this roster as opposed to last year’s team. So much so, that Maxey threw a lob that was basically caught and dunked by two guys at once. Kelly Oubre Jr. and KJ Martin quickly shared a hug as Oubre tried to get Martin the credit for the two points. They went to Oubre, but Martin caught a lob off a backdoor cut a few moments later.

• Jared McCain was a part of the first group to sub in tonight, easily the earliest for him in games the regulars have been available. He had a three and a floater both rim out, and threw a very nice pass that would have been an open corner three for almost anyone had it not gone to KJ Martin. The Sixers still led by 11 after the first.

Second Quarter

• Reggie Jackson was out there to start the quarter, again much earlier than when he’s been getting into games this preseason. Ricky Council IV also followed a few minutes later. It was a very quiet first shift for Jackson, who only recorded one missed shot and a block.
• Oubre was very aggressive on both ends of the floor in this one. He did get whistled for three fouls for it, but also was the leading scorer at the half with 18 points. His typical cutting and slashing got him seven free attempts, and he also shot it well from outside, going 2-of-3 from downtown.

• Don’t you just love preseason basketball? Trying to take a charge on Dennis Schroder, Tyrese Maxey got hit in the head by the leg of a falling Dorian Finney-Smith. That’s a scary play for anyone, especially Maxey who suffered a concussion last season in March. Finney-Smith didn’t appear to come away unscathed either. Maxey checked out of the game but remained on the bench, joking with his teammates.
• Guerschon Yabusele is definitely more hesitant from three than you’d like. His release taking a long time to get up a shot is likely a big factor in that. While he didn’t attempt any in the first half tonight, he did steal an inbounds pass at half court with two seconds left and was able to get down the floor for a dunk before time expired. The Sixers took a six-point lead into the half.

Third Quarter

• Maxey was not out there to start the third, but the only starter who was back on the floor for the second half was KJ Martin. Jeff Dowtin Jr. came into the game and found Yabusele for a corner three, prompting an immediate Brooklyn timeout. Yabusele was a bit more active to start the second half. He threw a slick no look bounce pass but Council was not able to finish the transition dunk.
• McCain had quite a few rookie moments in the third quarter. He threw a jump pass between two Sixers that ended up sailing into the crowd, then got called for defensive three seconds in the lane. He looked hesitant to put up a transition three, and traveled the next time the ball was swung to him. Just a rough sequence that have been few and far between for the rookie.
• Someone who’s been even more hesitant to get a jumper up than Yabu has been KJ Martin, but he made other uses of himself as he has all preseason. He finished the night with 12 points, shooting 5-of-8 from the field with most of that coming from filling the lane in transition and cutting to the dunker spot.

• Like the second quarter, the offense was pretty choppy for much of the third, but there were some nice moments from the young guys. Adem Bona had a nice drive to the basket and Justin Edwards made an impressive circus shot as the Sixers led by eight.

Fourth Quarter

• A really strong start to the quarter from everyone against a Nets team that still had their regulars in. McCain got on the board with another three and snagged a really impressive offensive board amongst the trees. Dowtin threw a no-look pass to a cutting Edwards down the baseline.

• It was a solid night for Bona. His block is what kickstarted the fast break in the clip above, and he had another play in the fourth where he was able to get to the basket off the dribble. Getting him to foul less is going to be quite the journey though, which is fair, given he’s an aggressive rim protector. After he quickly picked up his third foul Nurse was quick to sub him out.
• You got to love the preseason, am I right? The Maxey fall in the first half was scary enough, but Jared McCain took a really hard spill with just a few minutes left in the game. He seemed to struggle just to sit up. He was eventually able to get up and walk back to the locker room with the assistance of the medical staff.
• Only one more rehearsal left. The Sixers’ preseason finally ends Friday night when they head down to Orlando to take on the Magic at 7 p.m. Given that it’s on the road, the only options to watch will likely be the local Orlando feed or on League Pass.