Milton looks shaky running the point
Struggled on court, argued with Embiid between quarters during loss to Pacers
The Shake Milton Experience at point guard might require more seasoning than the Sixers expected.
In his first game as the formal No. 1 point man, rather than as fill-in for an injured player, Milton was overwhelmed Saturday in a 127121 loss to the Indiana Pacers. He played just 19 minutes and missed his only shot, committing three turnovers and five personal fouls.
His defense so spotty, Milton was confronted by Joel Embiid between the first and second quarters in what appeared to be a mildly heated argument.
“It happens everywhere,” Embiid said. “We discuss what’s going on and we move on. It happens on every team and you just figure it out.”
In just 10:42 of the first half, Milton had three fouls, three turnovers and did not attempt a shot.
A day earlier, coach Brett Brown expressed some concern that the Pacers would try to pressure Milton. He was particularly worrieed about noted full-court defensive pest T.J. McConnell, the for
mer Sixer.
McConnell attacked Milton early, at one point stripping him of the ball in the open court, leading to an Indiana score.
Though Milton had started 16 games, that was as a replacement for either the injured Josh Richardson or Ben Simmons. The Sixers made a much publicized decision to formally shift Simmons to the frontcourt during their recent re-start training camp, with Brown committing to Milton at the point.
Afterward, Brown did not sound ready to scrap the experiment.
“He got scored on pretty quickly and we had a discussion about pick-androll defense,” Brown said. “I think he chased, for the most part, the whole game. I think it was borne out of frustration.”
Brown was not necessarily disturbed that Embiid confronted Milton.
“If the conversation has to be had, it’s going to be had,” he said. “And I actually think stuff like that is far more healthy than anything. Shake’s teammates love Shake Milton. They are proud of his evolution.
“Shake and Joel are good friends. Sometimes stuff like that happens in a family.”
Embiid showed no early residual effects from the tight left calf that kept him out of the final two of three exhibition games.
The Sixers having promised that he was in top shape, Embiid provided 41 points, 21 rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots.
Though Embiid was seen heading into the locker room with about seven minutes left, he quickly returned to the game.
“Joel was dominant tonight, no doubt,” Brown said. “He brought it upon himself to try to get us a win, even if it meant trying to put us on his back.”
As expected since he was declared “doubtful” Saturday, Glen Robinson III did not play due to a left hip pointer.
Less expected was that Mike Scott, who could have assumed some of Robinson’s minutes, was a game-day scratch due to right-knee soreness.
“To be truthful, all I know is that he woke up and it was sore, and I listened to the people who advised me,” Brown said. “With that, they told me he was not going to go.”
The Sixers had no answer for T.J. Warren, who scored 53 points.
“The spacing we gave him was too generous,” Brown said. “We used Matisse (Thybulle) and Ben on him. Normally, you would feel confident that those two can tag-team a player. But he was great tonight.”
NOTES » The Sixers will play San Antonio Monday night at 8. … Raul Neto, who was slowed by a back issue late in training, was cleared and was an early point guard sub for the foul-troubled Milton. Neto played 20 minutes and scored two points. … Despite four months to improve it, Simmons’ outside shooting had a familiar look. He attempted no lengthy shots and was 3-for-6 from the line. … The Pacers were without All-Star center Domantas Sabonis (foot) and Malcolm Brogdon (cervical strain). … The Sixers outrebounded the Pacers, 5534. … The loss dropped the Sixers to 10-25 in games not played in the Wells Fargo Center.