National Basketball Association

Richaun Holmes Embraces Andre Drummond Matchup

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Detroit Pistons defeated the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, but Richaun Holmes used his matchup against one of the NBA’s top centers to improve his game.

Going up against Andre Drummond is not something that many players in the NBA look forward to, but one Philadelphia 76ers big man took the opposite approach.

Rather than worrying about how to contain Drummond (who is unquestionably one of the most dominant big-men in the NBA) defensively and work against him offensively, Richaun Holmes embraced the opportunity and viewed it as a learning experience during the Sixers’ 97-76 loss toe the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night.

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Holmes finished the game with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks (one on Drummond), while Drummond finished with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 1 steal, but just how much can Holmes learn from facing the All-Star who led the league in rebounds during the 2015-16 season?

“A lot,” Holmes said. “He’s a guy that challenges you on both ends and he’s a great offensive rebounder. Just learning how to get into position and battle with a guy like that who’s so strong and just being able to get out on the rebounds and stuff like that, it definitely makes me better.”

Over the 76ers’ first six preseason games, Holmes has been one of the team’s most productive players.

He’s second on the team in scoring (behind only Jerami Grant‘s 12.5 points per game) at 11.7 points per game and leads the team with averages of 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in just over 23 minutes per game (third highest on the team).

Originally considered a bubble-player early in the preseason, Holmes has almost certainly earned his spot on the Sixers’ regular season roster.

“I think just knowing where my spots are, knowing what I’m in the game to do and just having that focus,” Holmes said pertaining to what’s allowed him to succeed this preseason. “I’ve been focusing on playing hard on defense and just finding my spots on offense.”

Holmes, who turned 23 on Saturday night, also said that playing against Drummond at this point of the preseason will prove beneficial heading into the regular season

“A guy that’s going to push you like that, he’ll push you to get better and it was a lot of fun (going against Drummond),” Holmes said. “Now, you’ve got to make sure you’re ready for him next time.”

As a rookie last season, Holmes averaged 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 13 minutes per game.

The Sixers will close out their preseason schedule at the Miami Heat on Friday, Oct. 21.

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