In Doc Rivers’ inaugural regular-season game as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, he exhibited a philosophy that has maintained throughout his tenure: adaptability with closing lineups. On that December night, with a tightly contested finish against the Washington Wizards approaching, Shake Milton got the nod alongside Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and Seth Curry.
Danny Green started the game, but Milton’s 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting and handful of feisty defensive possessions tangling with Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal curried favor from his new head coach. Milton was excellent and the Sixers won by six.