The Philadelphia 76ers won a game over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night thanks to the greatness of Joel Embiid, but also got a lot of help from Matisse Thybulle. Without the services of Ben Simmons for a second night in a row, Thybulle deserved the start and faced Zach LaVine.
LaVine came into the night averaging 28.5 points, firing 52.0% from the ground and 43.7% from deep, but Thybulle led an attempt that kept him at just 9-for-28 shots. That is a key factor in being able to escape with victory on Friday.
“Matisse is like the secret sauce tonight,” said coach Doc Rivers. ‘People are going to look at his line and they won’t see much. He had two points, but was that great tonight defensively. If you can get away by not doubling down on Zach Lavine the game, which helps your defense all over the floor, it makes you a much better defensive team. “
Thybulle came in routinely and played a part in knocking out the best player on the team and Friday night was no different. He made a big impression in a Jan. 9 victory over the Sacramento Kings when he took out De’Aaron Fox and he did the same against LaVine.
“I said one night recently that he has a chance to be the best defensive player on the perimeter in the league and he showed it tonight,” said Embiid. “Zach is a great player, he’s been great all year round. I think he should be an All-Star, he deserves it. Looking at the stat sheet I see. 9-for-28, and that’s all Matisse. “
Much of the reason Philadelphia could slow him down was that Thybulle kept leading him to the paint. He used his height and his defensive instinct to send LaVine to Embiid, who had four blocks at night.
“Our whole business was to lead him down, lead him down, Matisse did,” Rivers said. ‘I thought his height bothered him a few times. LaVine made a tough 3 late, but overall, but on that 3, we told Matisse, let him knock you off the dribble, send him to Joel to keep fit, use your height, and Joel was there.
LaVine is one of the bigger matchups in the league as a man who can start offensive at any time. Considering how great a defender Thybulle is, it is understandable that he would really want to stand up for a match like this.
“You have seen fully what he is capable of,” Tobias Harris said. “We’ve seen it all year round and I think he’s definitely standing up for the bigger races with rolling guys. He’s defensive all over the floor, he’s got such quick hands to get into men’s room and wreak havoc. “
The Sixers are now getting ready to hit the road to meet the Toronto Raptors in Tampa on Sunday.
This post originally appeared on Sixers WireFollow us on Facebook