If you measure a team’s growth and success by how well they play and not by how many games they win, this season has been fairly successful for the Sixers. Despite shooting 13-26 from the free throw line, and being without Joel Embiid, Robert Covington, and Jahlil Okafor, the Sixers were in the game until the very end, losing 96-91 to the Memphis Grizzlies. No one expected them to win this game, yet they hung tight. When the lesser team consistently punches up against better opponents, it’s a good sign, but oh man it is incredibly frustrating to watch.

In the starting spot, Richaun Holmes scored 10 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, blocked three shots, and was fouled about 15 times without a call. Ersan Ilyasova, ol’ stoneface himself, led the team with 23 points and – uh – snatched 17 rebounds? That can’t be right. (It is).

Dario Saric scored 17 points with 7 rebounds and shot 50% from long-range (3 for 6). The Sixers next take on the New Orleans Pelicans, and the world slowly turns.