As a steamroller, Philadelphia did not tremble on Saturday night to win 121-101 against the Nets in Game 1 of this first round against the Nets. Taken two or three as soon as he had the ball in hand, Joel Embiid was content to anticipate these “traps” to serve James Harden and his shooters, and the 3-point address made the difference.
At first, Mikal Bridges maintained hope (23 points in the first half) but the absence of one or more lieutenants to support him in attack ended up making the difference, and it was Embiid, in the 3rd quarter, which allowed the Sixers to offer themselves a ten-point lead. Then it’s the bench, with George Niang and Paul Reed who will widen the gap, before James Harden whistles the end of the game to give 21 points ahead of his 7th 3-point basket of the evening.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
The anti-Embiid plan. On the pick-and-roll or when served at the high post, Embiid was consistently taken at two or three by the Nets. The Cameroonian never forced, and he was content to return the ball to James Harden or find a shooter on the opposite side to punish the defense. The most interesting is when Philly tried to repeat passes for Embiid, as in the 3rd quarter, so that he attacks this circle. In two or three passes, the defense was destabilized and he sanctioned free throws.
The impact of PJ Tucker. It is in this kind of match that we measure all its importance. Whether it’s offering second-chance shots through his aggressive offensive rebound, or through his assists in defense.
The 3-dot address. 21 of 43 at 3-point range for the Sixers, or 49%, and above all a franchise record in the playoffs. It’s very strong, and the outside danger came from everywhere with eight different players to fuel the score from afar.
TOPS & FLOPS
✅James Harden. There was a lot of waste at the start of the game but Harden blew up the defense with his 3-point skill with his 7 of 13 from far (career best in the playoffs), but also by the quality of his passes in the good timing.
✅Mikal Bridges. Confirmation that he is very close to the greatest by his talent and his ease in attack. For a half, the Sixers suffered his “pull-up jumper”.
✅Joel Embiid. A match in control for the pivot of the Sixers. He did not try to force the passage, and he was content to take what the defense gave him.
✅Tobias Harris. When he’s at this level, the Sixers are tough to beat, and he’s taken advantage of the focus on Embiid to play in the gaps or open spaces wide with his 100% 3-pointer.
⛔The Nets rebound. Busy watching Joel Embiid, the Nets have forgotten the defensive rebound, and he leaves 14 rebounds to the Sixers!
THE FOLLOWING
Game 2 Monday in Philadelphia (1h30)
Summary to come
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
