The Sixers failed to contain the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam on Saturday, two major reasons why the team lost Game 1 at Scotiabank Arena, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes.
Leonard and Siakam combined to score 74 points, shooting 28-for-38 from the floor and 6-of-11 from 3-point range.
“Two really good players,” said Joel Embiid, who shot just 5-of-18. “Their two best players showed up. I didn’t tonight and I have to do a better job.
“I have a lot of respect for those guys. They showed up. … They did a good. Next time maybe just like they are doing to me and double-teaming me. Throw some double-teams and have a better game plan.”
Philadelphia wound up losing the game 108-95, holding just a 39% shooting mark with 14 turnovers. They can still steal homecourt advantage by bouncing back for Game 2 on Monday, though the team recognizes how important is is to slow down the Raptors’ top two offensive threats.
Besides Leonard and Siakam, Toronto was supported by Kyle Lowry (nine points, eight assists), Marc Gasol (eight points with tremendous defense) and Serge Ibaka (seven points, six rebounds off the bench) to help seal the Game 1 victory.
There’s more from the Atlantic Division tonight:
- Veteran NBA forward Jared Dudley has interest in joining the Celtics this summer, a league source told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. Dudley, who’s coming off a successful season with the Nets, is scheduled to reach unrestricted free agency on July 1. Dudley turns 34 this summer and averaged 4.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 20.7 minutes per game with Brooklyn this year, shooting 35% from 3-point range.
- Marc Gasol is the long-awaited final piece to the Raptors‘ puzzle, Michael Pina of SB Nation contends. Toronto made a surprising deal for Gasol prior to the trade deadline, acquiring a veteran center capable of giving strong play on both ends of the floor. Head coach Nick Nurse has sported a starting lineup that consists of Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam and Gasol this postseason.
- Celtics rookie Robert Williams denied receiving money at Texas A&M, despite his name surfacing in a Thursday testimony by financial adviser Marty Blazer that he was given money by agent Christian Dawkins and assistant coach Amir Abdul-Rahim in 2017. “I’ve been saying, never took anything from anybody during my college career,” Williams said on Friday, according to Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports. “Honestly, just trying to focus on these playoffs. I tend to stop social media because it gets to you during playoff time, but, like I said, never took anything from anybody. Hope this goes away as fast possible.”
simmons feel embarrassed his 7 foot center’s forced to shoot three’s that he should be taking?
You see, Kawhi/Siakam play a perfect game, Embiid a bad one & Toronto just won. So normally Embiid will get much better (health allowing) & Kawhi/Siakam will drop a lot… So to me still looks good for the Sixers, right?
The worrying part is that today’s game is a perimeter game, not a big man game. Their best player is a big man. And their second best player isn’t a perimeter player. Not a winning formula.
Anyone else find it kind of comical Dudley is saying he wants to join the Celtics this off-season? like yeah I do too… but I’m pretty sure they’re not interested! lol — not that he’s not still a decent bench player but how would he fit in Boston unless they end up trading away half their team for AD (which is possible) but as it stands I don’t see him providing much value to the C’s
I thought the same thing. Not sure Ainge is clamoring to get Dudley in Celtic green. He’s still a decent bench player but they’ve got their eyes on a bigger prize. He probably resigns with the Nets for the vet min.
Dudley is close to the BC program. He also played his 33 year old ash off for the Nets and along with Ed Davis gave them key leadership. The guy is strong physically and he can play d and shoot the three. He looks like he wants in on an NBA coaching or front office gig, Ainge and Stevens would be ideal to learn from and connect with. I wouldn’t say it’s impossible the Celts would be interested. There have been times during this season when they could’ve used some vet leadership. He would surprise them with what a good player he is overall.