Despite consecutive lackluster starts to games 1 and 2, the Sixers have flexed their scoring prowess and depth to overwhelm Brooklyn so far in this series. Let’s take a deeper look at what’s to come Thursday night for game 3:
When: Thursday, April 20, 7:30 p.m. Tip-Off
Where: Barclays Center Brooklyn
How to Watch: TNT, NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Step Back Sixers
The Sixers knocked down 21-of-43 shots from beyond the arc in game 1, setting a franchise postseason record for made 3s in a game. Then, in game 2, Tyrese Maxey hit six 3-pointers himself and scored 33 points, while the MVP of the association Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris added 20 apiece. Once Philly started moving the basketball – not allowing the Nets to settle into their defensive sets – they shot the lights out. Can it continue? We’ll have to wait and see.
Doc’s Adjustments
In game 2, Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson (28 points) had an impressive first half showing, which included an authoritative jam on Joel Embiid; it encapsulated an embarrassing first half for Philly, but in addition to the players collectively playing better after regrouping in the second half, Sixers’ bench boss Doc Rivers deserves some credit as well. Rivers had the Sixers switch to a zone defense, which helped effectively thwart the Nets’ offensive game. Brooklyn shot the basketball just 35% in the second half, but even when they came out to an easy first bucket to begin play in the second frame, Rivers was quick to call a timeout and deliver a message of accountability to his group. He deserves some credit here for getting his team on track and he’ll need to continue pushing the right buttons moving forward.
Did you know? The Nets have lost six straight playoff games to the Sixers. Philly has also gone 2-0 at Brooklyn this season and are 4-0 against the Nets overall.
