The Sixers can count on VJ Edgecombe in the third quarter

The Sixers are by far the worst team in the NBA in the third quarter this season. During this periodNick Nurse’s players show a net rating of -21.6 (difference between points scored and conceded over 100 possessions), far behind the Pelicans’ -15.9.

However, in two meetings, the Sixers seem to be improving in this area as they won their third quarter against the Hawks (36-35) despite the loss and the one against the Knicks (31-28) which this time resulted in to victory in Philadelphia at Madison Square Garden, 116-107.

One man shone in the third act against New York: VJ Edgecombe. The Sixers rookie scored 11 of his 23 points in the period while missing just one shot to give his team a slight edge in points going into the period.

I have to be more aggressive in the third quarter. points out VJ Edgecombe. “I know myself and I know I tend to slow down in the third act. We’re trying to overcome this difficulty that slows us down in the third quarter. If that means I have to do more, I will.”

As VJ Edgecombe explains, the Sixers want to be better in the third quarter and can count on their rookie who is averaging 23.7 points. during his last three matches.

In the furnace and in the mill

“We talk a lot about the third quarter. This is an area where we’re trying to improve and we need him to be as aggressive as he was today.” loves Jared McCain. “So he was perfect and did some good things in the third quarter.”

VJ Edgecombe added seven more points in the final act, including a long-range shot that gave Philadelphia a six-point lead with 2 minutes and 44 remaining.

On the other side of the field, he had to defend further Jalen Brunson for several sequences. Mission accomplished for the rookies as the Knicks leader had a complicated night with a solid 22 points, but poor 7/22 shooting (31% success).

“Everyone knows he’s very strong, so I tried to make things difficult for him.” explains the newcomer. “You’re not going to stop him from scoring, so I did everything I could to make sure he didn’t have an open shot.”

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.