Starters support Embiid in Game 3 victory
Joel Embiid is as close to unstoppable as any big man in the NBA.
Embiid showed why in the first two games of the 76ers-Hawks Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series, averaging 39.5 points on .543 shooting from the field and getting to the free-throw line 31 times, making 26, as the teams split in Philadelphia.
Since few centers can handle Embiid 1-on-1 — Clint Capela is no exception — Atlanta must consistently double-team Embiid to prevent him from dominating.
“The trump card — that’s what we used to call it,” said Sixers coach Doc Rivers. “You do know you have a guy you can always go to.”
But, as Rivers noted, the supporting cast has to score to decrease the chances of Embiid becoming “fool’s gold.”
“You still have to make sure that everyone is contributing,” Rivers said. “The better the other guys play, the easier it is for your trump card to be more dominant because if they’re not, (the opponent) can sag and help and do things to take that off the table as well.”
Indeed, one of the reasons the Sixers won Game 2 was they knocked down .462 of their 3-pointers after hitting just .345 from behind the arc in dropping the opener at the Wells Fargo Center.
While Embiid continued to be a handful in Game 3 on Friday night, his teammates also did their part in a 127-111 victory at State Farm Arena that snapped the Hawks’ 13-game home win streak dating back to mid-April.
Tobias Harris (22 points), Ben Simmons (18 points, 7 assists), Furkan Korkmaz (14 points) and Seth Curry (12) joined Embiid in double-figure scoring to help the Sixers take a 2-1 lead. The Sixers also went 10 of 21 (.471) from 3-point range.
Game 4 is set for Monday evening (7:30 on TNT) in Atlanta before the best-of-seven series heads back to South Philadelphia for Game 5 (Wednesday night, time TBA).
Three of the four players listed above are starters, with Korkmaz the lone reserve. Korkmaz’s contributions were essential because the Sixers’ bench, which didn’t score in the first half of Game 2, had 17 points in the first quarter Friday to stake Rivers’ team to a 10-point lead. Korkmaz contributed 11 points on 3-for-3 shooting (2 of 2 from 3-point land) in
the period.
“We got that early lead because of him coming on the court and carrying the bench,” Embiid said. “He was huge for us.”
“Tonight, Furk was out there balling,” Harris said.
Korkmaz and the second unit were especially important because starting wing Danny Green didn’t return after straining his right calf 3:45 into the game. Korkmaz, who had minimal impact in the first two games, came in for Green and started the second half in Green’s spot. He also made Hawks star guard Trae Young work a bit at the defensive end.
Afterward, Rivers didn’t know how long Green, who wore a protective boot on the bench in the second half, would be out, but that “calf injuries aren’t great” and wasn’t sure who would start in his place. There was no Sixers media availability Saturday.
If Rivers is looking for offense from a replacement starter, Korkmaz would be a logical choice. If he’s looking more for defense, Matisse Thybulle would make the most sense.
“I just need to step up if (Green is out),” said Korkmaz, who said he thinks he’s shown his comfort level playing with the starters. “I am ready.”
Reserve Shake Milton was the Game 2 difference-maker off the bench with 14 points in 14 second-half minutes and Korkmaz filled that role Friday.
“As a player, we know sometimes opportunity comes and we need to be ready,” Korkmaz said. “There’s not going to be a second chance.”
The Sixers increased their advantage to 20 points after three quarters on a driving layup by rookie Tyrese Maxey, who was the 11th Sixer called upon by Rivers.
The reserves outscored their Atlanta counterparts 48-32. The Hawks’ bench held an 83-49 edge in the first two games.
“They’ve been great,” Rivers said. “Every single guy that we’re (playing) is responding for us now.”
The Hawks did a better job at preventing Embiid from receiving the ball so close to the basket for much of Friday’s contest after the MVP runner-up “pretty much had his way in the first two games down on the block,” according to Atlanta coach Nate McMillan. But Embiid still finished 27 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and went to the line 16 more times. He’s averaging 15.7 foul shots in the series.
If Embiid gets as much help in Game 4 as he did Friday from Korkmaz and others, the Sixers could have a decent chance to come back from Atlanta with a 3-1 lead.