Sixers grades: Paul Reed shines replacing Joel Embiid; Marcus Morris' inconsistent performance

"Sixers' Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, and De'Anthony Melton out. Here's how Paul Reed and others performed in their absence."

The Philadelphia 76ers faced a tough battle without key starters Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, and De'Anthony Melton. Despite the adversity, the team put up a valiant effort, and here are my grades from the game.

Paul Reed delivered an outstanding performance, leading the team with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and two steals. He stepped up in place of Embiid and even outplayed two-time league MVP Nikola Jokić in the first half.

Nico Batum struggled to make an impact on offense, failing to attempt a shot in the first half. Defensively, he was decent, but it was evident that he was still recovering from his illness.

Marcus Morris showcased dominance on the offensive end in the first half, scoring 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting. However, he went cold in the second half, missing all seven of his shots. Morris did contribute on the defensive end, particularly in guarding Jokić.

Danuel House Jr. provided valuable support on defense and made timely shots in the third quarter, helping to keep the team in the game.

KJ Martin displayed exceptional movement and athleticism for the second consecutive game, showcasing his potential as a trade candidate.

Kelly Oubre stepped up to carry the offensive load for the Sixers, finishing with 25 points. This performance marked a solid bounce-back game for Oubre after struggling in the previous game.

Patrick Beverley maintained his trademark energy, leadership, and disruptive play, getting under the skin of Denver guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and earning a double technical.

Furkan Korkmaz had a relatively quiet first half but showed more energy and contributed with a crucial steal and a well-executed off-balance three-pointer in the second half.

Jaden Springer demonstrated solid defense and exceptional energy, drawing a charge on Jokić and making valuable contributions on both ends of the floor.

Overall, the Sixers showed resilience and determination in the face of adversity, with several players stepping up to fill the void left by key starters. Despite the challenges, the team displayed strong defensive efforts and timely offensive contributions, showcasing their depth and versatility.

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