Takeaways from playoff Game 2 win vs. Raptors (The Sixer Sense and Section 215 at Fansided)
Embiid, Harris, Harden, Maxey, Green and Reed at playoff time:
>> Sixers: 3 takeaways from commanding Game 2 win vs. Raptors
Christopher Kline
Fansided | The Sixer Sense
April 19, 2020
thesixersense.com
The Sixers began Game 2 of the Raptors series on the wrong end of an 11-2 run. Toronto punched them in the mouth, playing their unique brand of physical basketball, forcing turnovers, and making Joel Embiid mad. They should not have made Joel Embiid mad. The Sixers ended the first quarter down just one point, with Embiid putting 19 points on the board in his first 11 minutes.
From there on out, it was (save for a brief nap in the fourth quarter) all Sixers. Philadelphia ran ahead to a 2-0 series lead, with the Raptors’ halfcourt offense never really looking up to snuff. The Sixers continue to match Toronto blow-for-blow in the physicality battle, and the Raptors’ over-aggressive help schemes on defense continue to yield favorable results for Joel Embiid, who is more than willing to pass out of doubles and let his teammates finish plays.
With the series now moving north to Canada, what have we learned about the Sixers and their chances of closing out this series?
Sixers-Raptors game two takeaways: Joel Embiid is a warrior
After hearing Nick Nurse complain about officiating all weekend, the Raptors entered this game with one goal: be physical and contend with Joel Embiid’s dominance “within the confines of the rules,” or however Nurse phrased it. Very quickly, it was apparent the Raptors were willing to foul Embiid quite hard, much to the enjoyment of the Toronto faithful.
It did not work. Embiid is difficult to start when he’s in a normal mood, but the version of Embiid Toronto awoke in the first quarter was another entity all together. He eviscerated Toronto in the painted area, dropped 19 first-quarter points, and took charge for the Sixers as they began to run away with the game.
Embiid also battled several bumps and bruises along the way — hard falls, a hyper-extended elbow, a tweaked ankle. He took a beating all game and kept on swinging, which speaks volumes about Embiid’s commitment to winning and desire to help his teammates.
We all know the injury history with Embiid, and when you’re a 7-footer who moves the way Embiid does, and who invites contact to the extent Embiid does, the risk of injury or pain is always higher. Despite feeling quite a bit of pain in this game, Embiid battled his way to 31 points and 11 rebounds, which is practically par for the course these days.
Sixers-Raptors game two takeaways: Tobias Harris is impacting winning
For much of this season, Tobias Harris was playing the worst basketball of his Sixers career. When James Harden was initially traded, it got even worse — Harris’ shot attempts were down, his percentages were in the gutter, and he just wasn’t playing smart, decisive basketball. The Sixers have always needed smart, decisive basketball from Harris, but with Harden onboard, that transformation (or lack thereof) became paramount.
Thankfully, Harris has made the transformation. Once dragged down by slow decision-making and an over-inflated view of his role in the offense, Harris has made the necessary sacrifices and emerged as possibly the perfect No. 4 option for a title-contending team. He’s pulling the trigger on his 3s quicker than he ever has before, he’s making decisive moves off the catch, he’s blossoming as a passer off drives to the rim. It’s all happening. Harris is playing the brand of basketball fans have begged him to play ever since he arrived with the team.
Right now, this very version of Harris, is the best version of Tobias Harris we’ve ever seen. He’s better than last season’s failed All-Star campaign, he’s better than Clippers Tobias. This is Tobias Harris at his absolute peak. He’s just clicking on all cylinders, and blending his trademark efficiency with snappy decisions and a real shooter’s mentality.
To make matters even better, Harris is supplying some pretty critical defense for the Sixers, who lack size and athleticism on the perimeter. He’s practically the team’s best answer for Pascal Siakam at this point. His effort on defense and his effort on the glass have been key to Philly’s 2-0 series lead. We will see how the postseason progresses, but Harris deserves his flowers right now.
Sixers-Raptors game two takeaway: James Harden is just fine
James Harden posted 14 points on 3-of-9 shooting (1-of-4 from deep) and supplied six rebounds and six assists. Those are not the numbers fans expected when the Simmons-for-Harden trade was announced, and you can bet the morning talk shows will bring up Harden’s stat line as some manner of “concerning trend.”
And look, in some ways, it is. Harden is clearly on the downswing of his career, and he’s no longer the MVP-caliber player who once graced the court in Houston. Now, it’s time to stop comparing him to his prime self. That will get you nowhere, and there’s no real benefit to bemoaning what could have been in some alternative, healthy-hamstring timeline. Instead, let’s appreciate Harden for what he is right now: a damn good basketball player who contributes well beyond the “points” section of the box score.
Harden is still, right now at this very moment, one of the best passers in the game of basketball. Not because he fills up the assists column like Russell Westbrook, or because he has LaMelo Ball’s flare and zest, but because Harden is a bona fide genius, and one of the absolute savviest veterans in the league. Even in his slower state, even when he’s not beating guys off the dribble straight up. Harden can’t overpower his defender anymore, but he can certainly out-think his defender.
If what the Sixers get from James Harden is elite-level playmaking and halfcourt manipulation of the defense, they will be extremely difficult to stop. Even if his points per game average falls in the 15-25 range, rather than the 25-35 range, the Sixers have a shot at the NBA championship due to Harden’s elite floor game and his ability to elevate teammates. Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris deserve a ton of credit for improving and adjusting over time, and Joel Embiid is an undisputed top-3 MVP candidate, but Harris and Maxey aren’t playing at this level without Harden’s impact. Harden is getting the ball to Maxey and Harris in prime positions to score, while Embiid’s gravity in the post makes Philadelphia’s halfcourt offense an absolute handful even for Toronto’s switchy, lengthy defense.
The Sixers have built a contender around Joel Embiid, and more broadly, around a four-player core. Does James Harden not having his scoring legs make it harder to beat the Milwaukees or Bostons of the world? Absolutely. Would it be better if Harden was still Houston Harden? Absolutely. But that’s not the Harden Philadelphia traded for at the deadline, and the Harden Philadelphia currently has is still plenty impactful. With Embiid commanding the middle more effectively than ever, and with both Maxey and Harris playing prime basketball, Harden can afford to take a backseat every now and then and direct traffic. He still poses a threat from 3-point range, defenses can never comfortably ignore him, and the basketball I.Q. is sky-high. Do not panic over James Harden. Instead, try to accept him for who he is now. <<
Related from Fansided ...
• James Harden doesn’t look the same. That’s a good thing -- section215.com
• 76ers: The legend of Tyrese Maxey continues to grow -- section215.com
• 76ers: Paul Reed has saved the Joel Embiid-less minutes -- section215.com
• 76ers: Danny Green has found new life under brighter lights -- section215.com
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- Eric L - |
