1st Round : #3 Sixers - #6 Nets

[Jailblazers7]

I can't think of a 1st round opponent that we have played in the Embiid era that has had worse talent than this Nets team.

I wouldn’t go that far. The Heat team we beat in 2018 was really bad.

[Murray_17]

I don't care about the zone? i also don't think the Nets are gonna play too much zone. They're gonna switch the PnR to death, they already are the team who defends the most by switching.

This is a test for Harden, he's gonna have to be aggressive

[Sixerscan]

I can't think of a 1st round opponent that we have played in the Embiid era that has had worse talent than this Nets team.

I wouldn’t go that far. The Heat team we beat in 2018 was really bad.

Wizards

Or the other Nets team frankly.

[76thBearCub]

We ready

[HardenToSixers]

I can't think of a 1st round opponent that we have played in the Embiid era that has had worse talent than this Nets team.

I wouldn’t go that far. The Heat team we beat in 2018 was really bad.

Wizards

Or the other Nets team frankly.

I think the Heat team and less so the Nets teams were a bit underrated. Both those teams were gelling at the right times and had young players that fought hard for each other.

The Heat team was well coached and had some talent, depth, and vets that would've caused us problems if we weren't up for the challenge. I was proud of that win and think that series was basically Simmons only positive playoff series of his career with us, albeit mostly because they didn't put him into mental pretzels with their gameplan as effectively as they should have.

[Eyeamok]

I truly hope this team plays well. Wins the series and leave injury free and rested for the next round. Is that really to much to ask? Oh who am i kidding, its the 76err this thing is going 7.

[76ciology]

Watch on YouTube

A lot of you guys said the right things about Sixers problems in breaking the zone.

Part of the problem is Harden and Embiid, would wait for their defenders to recover on their closeouts, before attacking.

Zone up Harden and Embiid, force role players to attack and create.

Another one is probably pace. 24 secs and the slow pace isn’t enough for us to break the zone. We’re used to having 1-2 actions before making the shot, i think we need more actions or more passing before generating open looks. Makes defender also easier to recover.

Our shooters are shooters on their spots, but not on all the spots. Sometimes the zone forces them to relocate and shoot out of their spots (i.e Tobi top of the arc, Tucker around the paint or left wing). Not much top of the arc shooters and too much corner shooters?

[76ciology]

Read on Twitter

Whats not to like?
Rarely plays zone
Bad rebounding team
Bad in crunch time

[Negrodamus]

I feel like teams that are very good at offensive rebounding are teams that generally stink and need to make up for it with effort. Either that or they have a truly special rebounder(s) who can hunt missed shots well.

[Sixerscan]

Like many basketball stats it’s incomplete without knowing what teams are actually trying to do. Doc is notorious for wanting guys to not crash the o boards so they can get back on defense. Pretty much the only guy that crashes the o boards is Reed because that’s how he makes positive plays.

[Zumramania]

Yeah, the Celtics have about the same offensive rebound % as we do, but they have better defensive rebound %, actually the best one. The Bucks are right behind them.

[MVP1992]

So, i have my alarm set for 3am to watch the game

[M2J]

Nets could be a great tune up Boston, with less threat of losing due to their offense.

Defensively they're versatile, and will switch heavily, but could try to play like Boston in that regard where they'll give some light help on Joel, but really focus on stopping everyone else. If these others can generate offense would be a great sign. I'm hoping that it's Maxey that takes a playoff leap... He has it in him. Harden, we'll see where his 5 body is at.

Offensively, they could choose to play smaller and go 5 out at times. Even with Claxton they have the ability to bomb away and play fast.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Lotta people are saying this will be a sweep. I don't see it.

[Kobblehead]

If the Sixers are serious about not being another playoff disappointment, this will be a sweep.

[mjkvol]

Possible that the Nets steal one at home, but this won't go beyond five games and a sweep is very possible.

[FlyingArrow]

Watching the game:

https://www.espn.com/watch/schedule/_/type/upcoming

It's on espn, espn+, and apparently you can watch espn2 for Stephen A's commentary during the game.

It will also be available on espn3 (their free streaming option), but the free options are either in Spanish or the above-the-rim cameras. The latter, presumably, with no commentary at all.

[Sixerscan]

It’s pretty hard to sweep a team these days with all the scoring variance, basically need them to go cold from 3 while you’re hot for 4 straight games and/or get injuries or just quit. Like the last Nets series was a pretty easy victory overall but the Sixers went 3/25 from 3 in Game 1 so they dropped it.

[Stanford]

I think game 1 is a coin flip. Day game after a long break? That's the recipe for a Sixers loss.

[Hipster Doofus]

Let's be realistic. It's our 76ers - we don't sweep teams. In my 22 years of following this team, off the top of my head I don't recall us sweeping anybody once.

Just get passed this first round injury-free, hopefully in 5-6 games max. Save your energy for Boston next round.