This duo was formed for the hot moments of the playoffs.
And tonight, in a Game 5 (which often switches) outside, in Boston, Joel Embiid (33 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks) and his lieutenant James Harden (17 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds) fulfilled their mission perfectly, their combination being unstoppable for the defense, certainly not at the level, of the Celtics…
No matter the defense…
However, everything was played on the most classic action of NBA basketball, this good old “pick & roll”, which allowed Philly to control the match from start to finish (115-103).
In fact, Joel Embiid finished with 6 of his 10 two-point successes on “pick & pop” and shots, easy for him, at the level of the free throw line, in particular on the “elbow” where he enjoys himself. At the same time, according to Second Spectrum, James Harden and Tyrese Maxey scored 1.15 points per possession played on pick and roll, with Joel Embiid often screening.
As in the regular season, even as in training, the Sixers played their game without a hitch, with the small passes in the pocket of James Harden for Joel Embiid.
“They tried to defend differently, trying to block access to the circle and so Joel was able to have his shots at the throw line”analyzed James Harden in The Athletic. “They offered us several defenses, changing on the screens, with their interiors remaining low, or rising high [après le changement de défenseur]. It’s mostly about seeing what they’re trying to do and finding the parade. »
James Harden as the perfect conductor
Boston did try to get Al Horford a little higher on James Harden after the screen, but the Sixers quickly destroyed this new option, with the relationship in tune between Harden and Embiid, perfect in timing, the pivot also punishing assists by quickly passing the ball to Tobias Harris (16 points) or Tyrese Maxey (30 points) who put their noses out the window for the occasion.
Perfect conductor in the demonstration of his team, James Harden came close to the triple-double, weighing all his weight on the match by taking only eight shots in the end. A very clean copy.
“He led this match masterfully”enjoyed Doc Rivers. “He was aggressive early in the game when he had to be. And then he took a step back and ran the shop by getting the others to play. »
Now a success of finding the Eastern Conference final, the Sixers no longer want to procrastinate, with the Celtics on the ropes. It would in any case be a first for ages, namely the Allen Iverson generation in 2001! Further still, it would be only the Sixers’ second conference finals since 1985, namely late generation Julius Erving, Moses Malone, plus a Charles Barkley rookie.
“We are a good team. [Sur ce match]we had the mentality of controlling what we can control [et de ne pas s’éparpiller donc]. Now we have our destiny in our hands.” concludes James Harden.
A video return to the multiple offensive options of the duo Joel Embiid – James Harden
