Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Thunder need George in sync
When Paul George has been rolling this season, so has the Thunder.
The All-Star forward has been off his game against the Trail Blazers, and they have struggled against the Trail Blazers. Yes, George is averaging 26.5 points in the Western Conference first-round playoff series, but he’s making just 27 percent of his 3-pointers — down from 39 percent during the regular season.
Much has been made of his shoulder issues, which he has been dealing with the last few months. George even missed the regular-season finale against the Bucks after not being able to lift his arm.
But George said Thursday his shoulder is painfree.
“The first game it was just out of rhythm, trying to find shots,” George said. “The second, it was knowing where shots were going to come from, knowing the space I could get playing at the basket and taking advantage of where I can get to the rim. It’ll be a great mix Game 3.”
The Thunder hope it’s a great mix. They’re down 0-2 as the series shifts to Oklahoma City on Friday.
In Game 1, George went 8-for-24 from the field and made 4 of 15 3-pointers. In Game 2, George focused more on drives and shorter jumpers and was a more efficient 11-for-20 from the floor.
The Thunder desperately need George’s longrange production. He led the team and ranked fourth in the NBA with 3.8 makes per game in the regular season. The Thunder have made just 10 of 61 3-pointers in the series. George has made six of 22.
Despite their struggles, George said neither his approach nor the team’s approach will change.
“We have to keep shooting,” he said. “We’re going to make shots. Keep shooting. We miss shots, so what. Keep shooting.”
Embiid sits:
All-Star center Joel Embiid sat out Game 3 of the 76ers’ Eastern Conference firstround series against the Nets on Thursday night with a sore left knee.
Greg Monroe started in his place.
Embiid had 23 points and 10 boards in the 76ers’ win Monday that evened the series at 1-1. He missed five of the 76ers’ last seven regular-season games due to rest and injury.