The Sixers have their faces closed, ready to do battle four months after the cruel elimination against the Hawks in Game 7 of the conference semifinals. Doc Rivers asks his people to put enormous defensive pressure on the Hawks, and the result is convincing. On the other side of the field, Joël Embiid and Tobias Harris will cause mistakes in the painting, and continue the free throws. The second unit continues this momentum and does an excellent job, with a very good André Drummond on both sides of the floor. From the bench, the Cameroonian pivot appreciates and encourages his former scapegoat. At the break, Philly is logically in the lead (60-46).
The residents of the Wells Fargo Center do not take the foot off the accelerator in this start of the second half, and the visitors are in great difficulty in attack. The defense of Doc Rivers’ men is remarkable, especially on the away side, and Trae Young and company are showing signs of nervousness and frustration. The debates are one-sided, and Nate McMillan tries blows, to no avail. Coach Rivers can rotate his squad and handle the end of the game. For once, the Sixers have not experienced any slack and they win very easily (122-94).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
The two-way takes of Matisse Thybulle and Shake Milton. The two young Sixers tried to disrupt the set-up of the opposing game by almost constantly making two-handed strikes on the ball carrier at the head of the racket, and the Hawks had a hard time getting rid of that. For example, from the entry into play of Milton in the first quarter, this tactic pushed the visitors to lose the ball on… five actions in a row!
Tobias Harris, as Boris Diaw. Embiid’s lieutenant has progressed in his passing skills and his game intelligence for several seasons, and he has shown a little clinic of offensive relationship with his interiors. Excellent in the role of point forward, the best friend of Boban Marjanovic gave superb caviars to his “big ones”, Embiid and Drummond, and it is promising for the remainder of the season.
94 and 8. Like the number of points scored by the Hawks (94), the lowest total since the start of the season and the number (8) of 3-point baskets scored by Nate McMillan players.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Tobias Harris. In the indefinite, or even final, absence of Ben Simmons, Harris managed to further raise his level of play (22 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists). Omnipresent in attack, and diligent in defense, the Philly winger is complete, and is perfect as a co-leader of the team alongside Joël Embiid. Very intelligent in his passing game and his movements without the ball, he was uncontrollable for the Hawks, who tried by all means to calm his enthusiasm. In vain.
✅ Seth Curry. The “brother of” has made a name for himself, and he shines with his regularity. Not forcing any shot, combative in defense despite some physical and athletic limitations, Curry is the ideal complement to a top team, the rear-shooter par excellence. With 15 points at 5/9 including 2/4 at 3 points, the “brother of” Stephen is not frills, and continues to make very clean copies night after night. He justifies being one of his stepfather Doc Rivers’ trusted men.
⛔ Bring young. Only 13 points at 5/16 on shots (1/4 at three points) for the leader of the Falcons who completely got through his game. Booed by the public, “Ice Trae” never found his cruising speed, and he was terribly annoyed by the Thybulle-Milton duo who stuck to him permanently. An evening to forget for the star of the franchise based in Georgia.
THE FOLLOWING
Philadelphia (4-2) : Monday evening, the Sixers receive the Blazers from a certain Damian Lillard …
Atlanta (3-3) : The Hawks welcome the co-leaders of the Eastern Conference, the amazing Wizards, on Monday.
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