San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Branham’s two-game roll a bright spot
Spurs rookie Malaki Branham offered an efficient explanation for his efficient shooting.
“Things are just slowing down,” he said. “I'm picking my spots on the court and doing what I know how to do. That's just as simple as it gets.”
Branham has recorded career highs for points in consecutive games, following up Wednesday's 22-point effort against Sacramento with a 26-point outing in Friday's 137-125 loss to Philadelphia.
It's the most points by a Spurs rookie in a two-game span since Tim Duncan had 56 in 1998 and a bright spot for a team that has lost eight in a row.
Branham went a combined 20 of 29 from the field (68.9 percent) and 5 of 10 from 3point range against the Kings and 76ers. In 35 minutes Friday, he hit 11 of 16 — both season highs — from the floor.
He came off the bench against Sacramento but started against Philadelphia in a backcourt pairing with Josh Richardson as Devin Vassell missed his 15th straight game while recovering from knee surgery and Tre Jones was sidelined after suffering a foot injury against the Kings.
“He's looking good out there,” Jakob Poeltl said of Branham. “He's playing with a lot of confidence. He's really good in pick-and-roll situations, where he's kind of finding that midrange spot and getting to his floater and maybe a little pull-up or something like that.”
Branham, who turned pro after one season at Ohio State and was selected 20th by the Spurs in last June's draft with a pick they collected in a trade deadline swap that sent Thad Young to Toronto, is averaging 10.3 points over his past 15 games on 47.3 percent shooting (29.6 percent on 3.6 attempts from 3-point range).
For the season, he's averaging 8.0 points on 44.1 shooting (29.5 percent from beyond the arc on 3.3 attempts).
“Everything,” Popovich said when asked what he likes best about Branham's growth. “Everything he is doing, being confident, shooting, defense, getting more comfortable in
situations. He is doing fine.”
47-point quarter extends skid to eight
Playing without three starters — Vassell, Jones and rookie Jeremy Sochan, who suffered a back injury Wednesday — and rotation player Romeo Langford, who missed his sixth game in a row with an adductor injury, the Spurs fell to 14-39 overall and 1-13 over their past 14 games.
Joel Embiid had 33 points, Tyrese Maxey contributed 25 off the bench, and Philadelphia put together an explosive second quarter against the NBA's worst defense to avenge an early-season loss in Philadelphia.
The Sixers (34-17) shot 52.9 percent from the field and 48.1 percent (13 of 27) from 3-point range for their ninth win in their past 10 games.
Keldon Johnson scored 18 points, while Poeltl had 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for his team-best 10th double-double, and Richardson
finished with 10 points, seven assists and just one turnover.
The score was knotted at 26 at the end of the first quarter, but Philadelphia used an 11-0 run to outscore the Spurs 47-35 in the second period. The 47 points were the most the Spurs have allowed in a quarter in the first half since Nov. 25, 1990.
The Sixers hit 17 of 21 in the second quarter and outscored the Spurs 16-8 in points off turnovers in the first half and 26-17 for the game.
The Spurs finished with 18 turnovers.
“They made more 3s, which is not unusual — we are in that situation a lot,” Popovich said. “But giving up 26 points off turnovers makes it impossible (to win). That was the most disappointing part of the game. Their grunt and their ability to just play the game is super. But taking care of the basketball is pretty important, and we didn't do that tonight. That was the bad part of the game.”
The Spurs will begin their nine-game rodeo trip Monday at Chicago.