Some fun Sixers stats ahead of tonight's game against the Lakers.
We'll avoid the Ben Simmons triple-double stuff that has been all over the internet all season.
The Sixers still have a lot to clean up. Today, we'll take a look at Joel Embiid's high turnover rate, Ben Simmons' defensive impact and some shooting stats that are comparable to the Warriors.
Robert Covington
• Covington is 48 for 96 (50 percent) from three. He's made one more three than Steph Curry in 25 fewer attempts. He's made five more threes than Paul George in seven fewer attempts. He's made 11 more threes than DeMarcus Cousins in 11 fewer attempts.
• Covington's shooting this high a percentage while still letting it fly often. His 3.7 threes made per game are tied for second in the NBA with Eric Gordon, behind only James Harden (4.3).
• A year after leading the NBA in deflections, Covington ranks fourth with 45. He's behind George (61), Thad Young (54) and Kent Bazemore (51).
Ben Simmons
• Simmons' length is already apparent on defense. He's contesting 4.3 threes per game, according to NBA.com, which is third-best in the NBA, behind only Jerian Grant and Anthony Davis.
Philadelphia 76ers
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia 76ers and their rivals in the NBA from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
• Simmons' ability to finish at the rim is uncommon, especially for such a young player. He's shooting 70 percent at the rim compared to 35 percent on his other 111 shots. That includes a 32 percent mark (24 for 76) on jump shots.
Joel Embiid
• Embiid is 30 for 90 (33 percent) on jumpers. A year ago, he was 38 percent.
• Among players who have played as many total minutes as him this season, Embiid has the eighth-highest rate of turnovers per 100 possessions (20.1 percent).
The seven players with higher turnover percentages are Draymond Green, Dwight Howard, Ricky Rubio, James Johnson, Jeff Teague, Tyson Chandler and Josh Richardson.
• Embiid's usage rate is still through the roof. When he's on the court, he touches the ball a ton. The only four players with higher usage rates than Embiid are James Harden, Kristaps Porzingis, D'Angelo Russell and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
T.J. McConnell
• The Sixers' backup floor general is averaging 8.4 assists per 36 minutes. That's more than LeBron James, Teague, Draymond, Simmons, Lonzo Ball and Kyle Lowry, among many others.
Team stats
• The Sixers are making 12.7 catch-and-shoot chances per game, second-most in the NBA behind only the Warriors (14.2).
• The Sixers lead the NBA with 10.9 catch-and-shoot threes made per game. The Warriors are second at 10.0
• The Sixers actually have one of the NBA's worst field goal percentages on drives this season at 41.4. Only the Kings, Blazers, Bulls, Clippers and Jazz have been less efficient.
• They're still playing the league's fastest pace. That includes the NBA's fastest offensive pace and sixth-fastest average defensive speed.
• The Sixers are averaging 17.3 post-ups per game on offense and 3.5 field goals made. It's a lost art, but they have Simmons and Embiid. Both figures are third-highest in the NBA behind the Knicks and Spurs.
