"Toronto is the only team that really just doesn’t allow me to ," Embiid said on an episode of the Zach Lowe podcast last April. They can swarm him with double or triple teams, and their long length presents major problems for Embiid when combined with the attacking defensive style Raptors' head coach Nick Nurse likes to use against Philadelphia. The Raptors are uniquely equipped to be able to defend Joel Embiid around the paint or in the post. Embiid handling the Raptors tough defense He averaged 10.5 assists per game in 21 games since becoming a Sixer, although the team will likely need more than just assists from him if they are to win the series.Ģ. Regardless of how much Harden impacts the series as a scorer, the one thing he is guaranteed to provide is his passing ability. He came out of that mini-break in the season on fire, scoring 26.8 points per game on 59.2 percent shooting from the field in his first four games in a Sixers uniform. The Sixers traded for him at the trade deadline and gave him the following two weeks post-trade to rest and rehab his hamstring. The week off Harden will receive between his last game of the regular season on April 9 and Game 1 against the Raptors on Saturday could potentially lead to some improvement in his play. The Sixers will come a lot closer to finding out the answer beginning in the first round against the Raptors. His shooting struggles and lack of explosion are likely the result of either a hamstring injury, him losing a step or him holding something back in reserve for the playoffs. Over his last 17 games, he is averaging 19.7 points while shooting 36.3 percent from the field and 29.1 percent from three-point range. He has lacked the burst and explosive first step that has allowed him to be one of the best scorers in the league out of isolation situations. James Harden has struggled as a scorer since debuting with the Sixers after the All-Star break. Before then, here is a preview of the series containing key things to pay attention to, important team stats, x-factors and a prediction for how the series will play out:ġ. The series kicks off on Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Their length and physicality will present a tough matchup against a bigger, more star-driven Sixers roster. Toronto took three out of four regular season matchups. The Sixers are set to face off against the rival Toronto Raptors in the first round of the playoffs. The Philadelphia 76ers finished the regular season at 51-31 and will enter the playoffs as the No. They would need to get to sixth place over the final six games to avoid the play-in tournament.By Matt Gregan, Sports Talk Philly Staff Writer But they fell to 38-39 and are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors play hard under Nurse and whittled the first-half deficit to three in the fourth quarter. Now, Nurse admits he'll need time in the offseason to “ reflect ” on his coaching future, even if it's not in Toronto. Under Nurse, the Raptors won the NBA championship that season. Philadelphia's best shot at a deep postseason run since Embiid was drafted in 2014 came in 2019 when they lost the East semis in seven games to the Raptors. It just didn't seem that solidified last year. They just kind of have a very similar output. “I think they know what really each one of them is going to do. “They're playing more solid,” coach Nick Nurse said. That is, if Embiid and Harden are healthy. They've lost in the second round each of the last two seasons but remain contenders to at least win the Eastern Conference. The 76ers reached the NBA Finals that season and improbably haven't gone past the second round since. The Sixers hit the 50-win mark this season in the fewest amount of games since 2001. Rivers said Harden's injury has “been managed but it’s always a concern.” The 33-year-old Harden said the pain has spiked at times during games. Harden has been dealing with a sore left Achilles for the last few months. “He didn't look like he had any problems and let's just hope that continues.” “He looked normal tonight,” coach Doc Rivers said. He gingerly got up and missed a free throw. The NBA scoring leader stepped on Anunoby’s foot in the first half and was briefly on his back. With Embiid, though, there’s always a small scare for the 76ers. He said the injury is “good enough” and is trying to survive the remaining games without incident. Embiid and Harden showed no ill effects of injuries that hampered them of late.Įmbiid is playing through a nagging right calf injury that cost him a game - and maybe some MVP votes - Monday at Denver. Harden and Embiid combined to make 12 of 16 shots and Harden made all three 3-pointers in the first half. Scottie Barnes scored 29 points and OG Anunoby had 19. The Raptors didn't have another run in them.
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