After winning the first three games of their series vs. the Raptors, the Sixers have now dropped two consecutive close-out opportunities and will head back to Toronto clinging to a 3-2 lead. Star center Joel Embiid, who tore a ligament in his right thumb in Game 3, said after Monday’s loss that he wants to make an effort going forward not to favor that injury quite so much.
“I’m in a situation where I try to protect it,” Embiid said (Twitter link via Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer). “Before I even attack or if I get the ball, it’s almost like I’m not playing freely where I’m like, ‘Well, if I do this, I might get hit or I might get hurt.'”
Embiid also told reporters on Monday night that his All-Star teammate James Harden, who attempted just 11 shots from the field and had 15 points in Game 5, needs to be more aggressive on the offensive end, as Tim Bontemps of ESPN relays.
“I’ve been saying all season since he got here, he needs to be aggressive and he needs to be himself,” Embiid said. “That’s not really my job. That’s probably on Coach (Doc Rivers) to talk to him and tell him to take more shots, especially if they’re going to guard me the way they’ve been guarding. But that’s really not my job.”
No team in NBA history has blown a 3-0 series lead. If they can get a home victory on Thursday, the Raptors would be just the fourth team (of 145) to force a Game 7 after falling behind 3-0, which would put a ton of pressure on the 76ers to close out the series on Saturday at home.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Celtics wing Jaylen Brown earned another one of his contract bonuses on Monday due to the team’s first-round series victory. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (via Twitter), advancing to the second round assured Brown of an extra $482,143 this season.
- The Raptors‘ decision to give up a first-round pick for Thaddeus Young at February’s trade deadline may look short-sighted if he leaves in free agency this summer, but he has provided intangible value to the team through his veteran leadership and understanding of the game, says Eric Koreen of The Athletic. Additionally, since the Raptors acquired a second-rounder from San Antonio in the Young deal, they only ended up moving down 13 spots in the draft, from No. 20 to No. 33.
- In his latest mailbag, Fred Katz of The Athletic addresses a series of offseason questions facing the Knicks, weighing in on Mitchell Robinson‘s upcoming free agency, whether Tyus Jones or Malcolm Brogdon make sense as offseason targets, and more.
Harden is a better defender than Westbrook and Wall
Harde stats shooting last two games
5-17
4-11
30% FG？
Harden isn’t a better defender than Wall LMAO Wall is a great defender Harden is not . Russ is close but I’ll still give it to Russ.
Doc and the Sixers really trying to make history here.
Need to get their ish together looking very pathetic. Not as pathetic as the Nets, but we are getting there. Embiid is hurt, Harden needs to step up and Toby/Maxey should follow suit.
As a Sixers fan, I’m fine if they lose this series in historic fashion if it means Doc gets fired
If we blow a 3-0 lead,we’ll be more pathetic than the Nets.
Embiid calling out Harden and Doc is too perfect. And he’s 100% right, especially considering his injury. But we all know Doc is stubborn when it comes to making adjustments and his rotations.
And I wouldn’t say it’s fair to characterize the Thad trade as having given up a first. They essentially moved down like 10 spots in the draft from what was a later first, or something to that effect. Notable difference imo.
Fred VanVleet is likely to play in Game 6
76ers need firepower from the bench
How many times did I say this?
Harden can’t play defense but grab 2 rebounds in 40 minutes
That Aussie kid Simmons>Westbrook is very quiet after saying Philly would have closed it out by now.
Doc isn’t good at 3-1,3-2 whatever. Now the team are imploding. They were never gonna win it all anyway, but I can’t believe Morey has such a bone on for Harden…
76ers playoffs 4 best players
Play 40.5 minutes per game
FG
Harris 53%
Maxey 51%
Embiid 49%
Harden 37%
Harden should shoot less?
Silivan. Players farther from the interior usually have much worse shooting %. They shoot further shots.
The season totals reflect the same thing for the 76ers. As every team.
I would love to see Thad Young back in a Bulls uniform, he would be a great mentor for Williams and provide solid backup minutes.
Boston Celtics Jaylen Brown’s confidence is impressive. He agreed to incentives. Team incentives. And the Celtics got there. Good for you Jaylen! Go Celtics!