Atlanta @ Philadelphia -- Game 5: Far From Home

[Jamaaliver]

Hawks head back to Philly with blueprint for limiting Joel Embiid



It’s a different series for the Hawks now. A big question before it started was how effective Embiid could be when playing with what the Sixers say is slightly torn cartilage in his right knee. Embiid seemed to provide an answer in the first three games. He wore out the Hawks while averaging 35 points with a 56.7. effective field-goal percentage and 10.3 rebounds.
In a weird way, it might be better for the Hawks if Embiid is out there doing his best. The Sixers run their offense through him, and the Hawks have seen how he can dominate. Embiid can do it all with the ball: score in the post, bully his way to the basket, make midrange jump shots and 3-pointers, pass, draw fouls.

But it’s clear now that Embiid can perform at his normal level for only so many minutes.

Embiid might rise again for Game 5. He will have only one day of rest between games, as opposed to two between games 3 and 4. But perhaps being back in Philadelphia will energize him. More motivation for Embiid, a master Twitter troll: He knows he will be clowned if the top-seeded Sixers are eliminated by the Hawks after leading the series 2-1.

Still, none of those factors will heal the torn cartilage in Embiid’s right knee.

“There are no excuses,” Embiid said. “I’ve got to do better.”

Read more here: https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nba/article252143418.html#storylink=cpy

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[shakes0]

Hate the poll. Refuse to vote in any poll that endorses a Philly player. GO HAWKS!

[Jamaaliver]

Kawhi is out injured.

CP3 is out with Covid.

When do we hear Embiid's availability?!?

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[Spud2nique]

GOOOOOOOOOOOO HAAAAAAWKKKKKKKSSSSS!!!!!

[HMFFL]

Philly is a -296 to win the series.

We will see how much the refs are a factor tonight knowing that Embiid is hurting more and more.

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[HMFFL]

Kawhi is out injured.

CP3 is out with Covid.

When do we hear Embiid's availability?!?

Read on Twitter

Must win game for Utah but we will see if they flop like Milwaukee did last night.

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[CP War Hawks]

If Cam is healthy enough to go then let him fly. The Hawks need his perimeter defense on Curry and Harris which further squeezes more pressure on Embiid and Simmons to produce.

[D21]

We will show much the refs are a factor tonight knowing that Embiid is hurting more and more

I really hope last game was like that because of McMillan game plan, and that he told John and Clint to not try to block Embiid or steal him the ball. The smallest contact has been called by the refs. It's like Rivers asked them to protect him as he's injured, and even if it's not there job, they are doing it a bit.
Don't forget that their 18pts lead was built during a 6 minutes stretch where they were foul free while ATL got something like 4 or 5 fouls!

And last game proves that Embiid faking a 3pts shot then trying to penetrate but stoping for a long 2 is our best option. But not leaving too much free at 3pts, we got a bit lucky because he could have hit one or two more shots.
The main difference was to keep him in front of the basket between FT line and 3pts line, and he has few shots under the basket compared to the previous game :

[ducler]

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[DirtybirdGA]

Push it, push it real good!

[HMFFL]

We will show much the refs are a factor tonight knowing that Embiid is hurting more and more

I really hope last game was like that because of McMillan game plan, and that he told John and Clint to not try to block Embiid or steal him the ball. The smallest contact has been called by the refs. It's like Rivers asked them to protect him as he's injured, and even if it's not there job, they are doing it a bit.
Don't forget that their 18pts lead was built during a 6 minutes stretch where they were foul free while ATL got something like 4 or 5 fouls!

And last game proves that Embiid faking a 3pts shot then trying to penetrate but stoping for a long 2 is our best option. But not leaving too much free at 3pts, we got a bit lucky because he could have hit one or two more shots.
The main difference was to keep him in front of the basket between FT line and 3pts line, and he has few shots under the basket compared to the previous game :

I agree with you.
I like our chances tonight on their home court.

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[Jamaaliver]

My not so bold prediction:

Trae goes crazy tonight after being snubbed yet again for All NBA status.

[DirtybirdGA]

He can go crazy if the shoulder is good. Not sure about his 3s.

[HMFFL]

Embiid has yelled at the refs for a foul the last two times he scored.

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[HMFFL]

My not so bold prediction:

Trae goes crazy tonight after being snubbed yet again for All NBA status.

Tatum missing out on a $32 million bonus...lol



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[Jamaaliver]

I want this guy on my squad!!!

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[Jamaaliver]

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[DirtybirdGA]

Blowout loss coming, they weren't ready to play tonight.

[Jamaaliver]

Hawks need to push the tempo every time down the court. 8 seconds or less style offense.

Embiid is too slow to get back or outrun Collins/Capela.

We also should consider a zone, similar to what MIAMI utilized last postseason.

Spoiler:

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[D21]

Blowout loss coming, they weren't ready to play tonight.

But strangely, Embiid has no problem on his knee...

Embiid has yelled at the refs for a foul the last two times he scored.

The one were Clint was all clean and Embiid yelling like he hit hard deserved a technical, unbelievable that ref let him do that, the guy is 7/7 at this moment and yells like crazy when he doesn't need it.