PostedMay 23, 2021, 10:13 p.m.
Philadelphia, first carried by Tobias Harris then by Joel Embiid, battled to beat Washington (125-118) on Sunday and led a win to zero in their series of the first round of the Eastern Conference play-offs.
Joel Embiid at the top of his game.
AFP
Author of 13 of his 30 points in the 3rd quarter, Embiid allowed his team, seeded No.1, to make a small difference in the 3rd quarter (38-31). He added 8 more in the last three minutes to maintain the distance with Wizards who have never let go.
In the first period, very tight, it was Harris who kept the Sixers afloat to finish with 37 units, a new personal best in the play-offs. As for Ben Simmons, not very prolific (6 pts), he was nonetheless active (15 assists, 15 rebounds), especially in defense. “We had to be aggressive, give time, because we know it will be very hard against them,” commented the first.
Washington, returning from the devil vauvert at the end of the regular season, going back from the last to the 8th after the dam won at the expense of Indiana, has indeed shown a lot of energy and courage. Bradley Beal almost single-handedly symbolized these two virtues (33 pts, 10 rebounds, 6 assists), when Russell Westbrook was slightly less in sight (16 pts, 14 assists, 5 rebounds all the same).
After two free throws missed by Simmons at 121-116 for Philly, “RussWest” at first in spite of himself extinguished the hope of a final comeback in the last minute, by putting his right foot in touch as he left in counter attack. His 6th ball loss, followed by a failed behind-the-bow attempt seconds later …
The first-round schedule continues Sunday with Phoenix-Lakers, New York-Atlanta and Utah-Memphis.
(AFP)
