Toronto’s Fred VanVleet was out with a left hip flexor strain. The athletic, relentless Raptors have been excellent without him the last game and a half. The Sixers’ start wasn’t much better than the last time they were at home.
An Embiid dunk off of a pick-and-roll with Harden palpably shifted the momentum. Both Harden and Tobias Harris then provided a few strong individual defensive possessions that contributed to better pace and easier, deeper catches for Embiid. Harris’ defensive activity had been fantastic all series, but Harden’s focus and effort both on and off the ball were key parts of the Sixers’ first-quarter response.
Declining to consider another jumper, he threw a pass back out to Tyrese Maxey on the perimeter. Scottie Barnes picked it off and went the other direction for a layup that put Toronto ahead 33-27. Rivers called timeout and the home fans booed loudly. Harden drove into the paint and kicked the ball out to Maxey, who pump faked and tossed up a wayward floater, which eventually resulted in an Achiuwa three. The Sixers ended the half with Harden sizing up Barnes and misfiring on a step-back three.
The thumb injury is obviously significant in a physical sense. Embiid's figuring out what's still comfortable, where he's compromised, and the ways in which he must adjust. At the moment, he's inclined to employ his left hand more than normal.
Sounds like a typical Philly team. Choke under pressure.
Just sell the franchise. Quit making us suffer like this.
Rivers is showing us his playoff coaching. Embiid has a bad thumb and he has him shooting 3s.
😣
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