The Philadelphia 76ers took the lead in the series against the Atlanta Hawks and can expand this on Tuesday night. The key to success was an improved Ben Simmons, who listened to the advice of his coach and star player and wants to keep focus.
Joel Embiid took 21 litters in Game 1, and there were even 25 in Game 2. The Hawks wanted to change something in this situation. “I saw how they defended me, they didn’t want me to touch the ball,” said Embiid, explaining the guests’ defensive strategy at the 127: 111 success. Although the Cameroonian made a very valuable contribution with 27 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists (most of them since April 18) and 3 blocks, he only had 14 deals.
From Atlanta’s defensive behavior – in addition to the chain dog Clint Capela, the Hawks often sent a second or even third player – Embiid drew his conclusions, which primarily involved Simmons: “I told him that he had to be aggressive and attack because it was a lot There is room for him. ” His core message: “Go out and dominate!” And Simmons obeyed: The Australian scored 11 points in the third quarter, hit four of his five throws, took six free throws (of which he sank only three) and played three assists.
Together with Embiid, who also reached 11 points during this period, he ensured that the Sixers lead grew to 20 points as a result of a 34:19 quarter and that the second victory in a row was no longer in danger. The home advantage is now back to the team from the city of brotherly love.
Tobias Harris showed a strong performance, Furkan Korkmaz jumped into the breach with a playoff career high (14) for the injured Danny Green, but for the ideally two remaining playoff rounds, the development of Simmons should be most important. It is he who, in addition to his elite defense, also has to relieve Embiid offensively, it is he who “has to be aggressive and attack”.
Rivers criticizes: “Too many options left out”
He also played his enormous skills in transition in game 3, with many of the 15 fast break points (ATL: 6) he had a finger in the game. “I wanted to make the game fast, get into the zone, find my teammates. I think I did well in the second half,” said Simmons, assessing his performance.
The emphasis on the “second half” had its reasons. In the eyes of his head coach Doc Rivers, he acted too cautiously before the break and once again revealed his limitations in the half-court offense. “He missed too many opportunities. We told him we’d come out and use him a lot in the post. And he was great with his speed and strength, that’s what we needed.”
In doing so, Rivers found himself forgetting the various tasks of his protégé. “It’s exhausting. If you think about what we’re asking of Ben: Follow Trae Young everywhere to chase all those blocks and then keep up the pace of the game.” At halftime he was reminded of this fact by his co-coaches and also by Simmons himself (“I also defend Trae!”).
In 42 out of 85 attacks, Simmons defended loudly ESPN Stats & Information the opposing playmaker brilliantly and with the highest intensity, with 28 points and 8 assists, he showed once more that he cannot be completely taken out of the game. Due to the great importance of Young for the Hawks game, Rivers does not intend to change anything in the exhausting game plan for his protégé: “He is young and resilient.”
Simmons: DPOY? “I want to win the championship”
He underlined this resilience in said third quarter, in which he met Embiid with the No-Look-Alley-Oop for the Play of the Game. “We have been playing together for so long, we know each other. He knows where I have the ball. It was a good pass,” commented this soberly on the scene and, like his co-star, focused on the tasks ahead.
Like the entire Hawks team, Young will come up with new moves in Game 4 to give the series a twist: “He’s a clever young player, I have a lot of respect for him. I’m looking forward to the defending the best players every night. That’s my job. ” Whether 10, 20 or 30 point lead: There is no reason to take your foot off the accelerator.
He does not want to waste any thought on the fact that he was only second behind Rudy Gobert in the Defenive Player of the Year election – even if his lack of understanding cannot be overlooked: “Congratulations to him. It is like it is. “
In April he still had one ESPN-Interview against the French teased and pointed out that he had scored 42 points against Jazz, although Gobert had defended him and he was not a particularly talented offensive player. While 14 journalists saw Simmons in front (a total of 287 points), the Stifle Tower clearly had the upper hand with 84 first-place votes (464 points).
“I don’t care about individual awards,” Simmons clarified. “I want to win the championship, that’s my ultimate goal. I just go out there and try to be the best defender in the league.”
Sixers vs. Hawks: the series at a glance – Stand: 2-1
| game | date | Time | Home | Away | Result |
| 1 | 6. June | 19 o’clock | Sixers | Hawks | 124:128 |
| 2 | 9. June | 1:30 | Sixers | Hawks | 118:102 |
| 3 | 12. June | 1:30 | Hawks | Sixers | 111:127 |
| 4 | 15. June | 1:30 | Hawks | Sixers | |
| 5 | 17. June | tba | Sixers | Hawks | |
| 6* | 19. June | tba | Hawks | Sixers | |
| 7* | 21. June | tba | Sixers | Hawks |
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