Shootaround Report: 11/23 vs. Grizzlies

The following storylines were ones that emerged from the Sixers' morning shootaround on Wednesday, November 23rd. They play the Memphis Grizzlies at The Center at 7:00 PM EST.*  With November drawing to a close, the days are growing shorter, and the conditions outside becoming more crisp and chilly. It's certainly the time of year when the immune system starts to get put to the test.Following Wednesday morning's shootaround, the Sixers announced that Gerald Henderson and Richaun Holmes will both be listed as doubtful for the game later in the evening due to illness. Henderson was under the weather Monday as well, confined to the bathroom prior to the game. Still, he went on to post a season-best 19 points in the Sixers' 101-94 win over the Miami Heat. “He didn't even warm up before we played,” Brett Brown said following the victory. “That is true leadership. 'Philly hard.' There's a Philly toughness to him, and he is from Philadelphia.”Should Henderson not be available Wednesday, Nik Stauskas and Hollis Thompson represent alternative options at shooting guard. The two have been key components to the club's bench contingent this season. Joel Embiid will again be placed on a 24-minute restriction.* Dario Saric has proven to be a dependable contributor for the Sixers, regardless of where he's been positioned on the depth chart.In 10 outings as a starter, Saric averaged 9.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 26.9 minutes per game. As a member of the second unit – or “second five,” as Saric put it – the last four games, the rookie has produced even more efficient numbers, generating 10.5 points, 6.8 boards, and 1.8 assists in just 23.8 minutes. Wednesday, when asked about his preference to start or come off the bench, Saric indicated he was “ok” with either one.”We are team, we got like same goals end of the day, end of the season,” he said.Last week, Brown decided to mix up the starting line-up, and use Ersan Ilyasova at power forward. Part of the fourth-year head coach's thinking was that Saric would have the chance to possibly be featured more with the Sixers' reserve corps.So far, Saric has found this to be the case.  “When I come in from the bench, I can have more ball, more chance to attack the rim,” Saric said. Most of all, Saric is happy the Sixers, regardless of who's starting, have gotten into a winning, successful rhythm as of late. “We are doing a good job out there on the court. We fight, we play like a team, we find some kind of basketball chemistry in our team.”* Having spent virtually his entire life in Europe, Saric, a native of Croatia, will find himself in America for Thanksgiving for the first time this Thursday. The 22-year old said Wednesday he's familiar with the holiday, but that there is no Croatian equivalent.At the moment, Saric has a friend from home staying with him in Philadelphia. He said the two will either try to go out to dinner Thursday, or maybe make a meal at his place. “I can cook, I can cook,” said Saric. “I can cook really good, if I want.”As for the cleaning up part that comes along with it, Saric feels a little differently. “Not so much,” he said laughing. “I am not very good friends with that thing.”Saric said his top culinary activity is grilling with friends in the summer. * After a successful 14-point, six-rebound, three-assist, and three-steal debut for the Delaware 87ers Monday, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot was back in Camden Wednesday, working with the Sixers. He considered his stint with the organization's NBA Development League affiliate to be a beneficial one.”That was nice,” Luwawu-Cabarrot said, “because I get back my feeling about the games, the opposition, just the fact to run, and to have the ball, and to be able to pass and to miss shot and make shot, that was great. I liked it.”The Sixers selected the 21-year old Frenchman 24th overall in this past June's draft. He's so far appeared in nine games at the NBA level, logging a total of 46 minutes.”I feel great, because every time I go to the practice, I practice hard,” said Luwawu-Cabarrot, who was recalled from Delaware Tuesay. “Every game, I feel good inside myself. I know that when I will get the opportunity I will be ready, and that's what I work for.”Luwawu-Cabarrot is expected to be on the active roster for Wednesday's game versus Memphis.