The first game of a playoff series is huge! The odds of a team winning a series drastically improves with a game one win, but that didn’t happen for the favored Philadelphia 76ers. However, Philly has a great roster, and clearly has more talent than the nets. Do they have the better coach? We will save that for another day. This is why game 1 of the playoffs just cost the Sixers their shot at the Eastern conference finals and possibly, the opportunity to be swept by the warriors in the finals.
The Sixers were embarrassed in game 1, Ben Simmons was being booed by his own crowd and Embiid was shooting threes from Brooklyn even though the game was in Philly. Game 1 was not a good look for any 76er besides Jimmy Butler who was the only Sixer who seemed interested in being there, other teammates might have well been looking at their cell phone during the game. Strategically the Nets went small and brought Embiid outside to defend the pick in roll. This turned out to be a great game plan for the Nets who were getting through the lane 10 times faster than I get can through ac Chick fil le drive through.
The pick n roll is still not why game 1 destroyed the Sixer chance of a playoff run. The reason their playoff run will be done in the second round isn’t because of their defense or their offense. It’s because of Joel Imbiids health. With his knee hurting he can’t move like he normally does and with the loss in game 1 he will not have the opportunity to sit out games 2 or 3 and maybe 4. Which is crazy, because on paper the Sixers should beat the Nets without Embiid.
Because he must play, he will be exhausted by the the next series regardless who they are playing. Most likely that will be the Raptors, even though they lost their game one, and the Raptors are much better defensively. Embiid currently appears to be moving up and down the court like Dirk Nowitski, except Dirk is 100 in NBA years. I hope that he has a miraculous recovery, and can be dominant, but I don’t see that happens.
Please let me know what you think? Do you think the Embiid’s body can hold up over a playoff run? Please leave your comments below.
Toronto would be a favorite vs Philadelphia if embiid was 100%.
Maybe, a lot of people on ESPN were picking Philly to go to the Eastern Conference Finals, some had Philly in the finals against Warriors. Non of that will happen with Embiid not 100%. I am a Toronto fan and they are my pick to upset the Bucks and go to the finals. Only way Philly was going to beat Toronto was to be able to rest or to Load manage Embiid this series, that isn’t going to happen now. Appreciate the comment, please check the boxes and subscribe to our email chain.