The 76ers defeated the Nets 96-88 to complete a four-game sweep and move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Philadelphia finished the series without star player Joel Embiid, who missed Game 4 with a sprained knee. Embiid averaged 20.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.3 blocks per game in his first three games.
- Tobias Harris led the 76ers with 25 points and added 12 rebounds, while James Harden scored 17 goals and led all players with 11 assists.
- The 76ers will face the winning Celtics–Hawks series, which Boston currently leads two games to one.
- After the game, Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said his confidence level was “50 percent at best,” and that Embiid would be ready to start the next inning.
Doc Rivers will be at the level of his confidence, Joel Embiid, available at the start of the next series: “Maybe 50 percent at best.”
– Rich Hoffmann (@rich_hofmann) April 22, 2023
the athleteInstant Analysis:
What is the latest event on Embiid?
When Rivers said he felt Joel Embiid was “50 percent at best” in his estimate for the next series starter, it sounded like a hollow sweep for the Sixers. Their goal is to win the championship, and to do so, they need the Embiid to play against the best teams in the NBA. Any series that jeopardizes Embiid’s participation in the rest of the playoffs is a major cost.
On April 4, the Sixers needed 52 points on 20-of-25 shooting from Embiid to beat Boston by two points. As good as the Celtics are (and assuming they win their first-round series against Atlanta), they don’t have anyone who can defend Embiid one-on-one for an extended period of time. In a game where Boston has advantages all over the field, this is something the Sixers can count on. If Embiid isn’t in shape, it’s hard to see the Sixers get past the Celtics. – Hoffman
How the Sixers won without Embiid
This is the Sixers’ first sweep since 1991 and their first sweep in four games since 1985. In pulling off a crushing win over Brooklyn, they displayed an impressive degree of toughness not found in previous seasons. Harris, often relegated to the fourth-choice role, earned the Sixers plenty of tough isolation baskets en route to a 25-point performance.
Reid took Embiid’s place in the starting lineup and finished with 10 points and 15 rebounds. De’Anthony Melton finished the game with some key offensive rebounds and 3s. This Sixers team, now 12-5 on the season without Embiid, definitely has a degree of toughness on it. – Hoffman
concerns with Harden
A major concern going forward for the Sixers is that Harden can’t seem to make a shot inside the arc. Harden went 4-of-18 from the field in Game 4 and 9-of-34 from 2-point range for the entire series. Even if Rivers felt Harden was getting a decent look, base form is a major concern heading into a potential second-round series with Boston. – Hoffman
What’s next for Brooklyn?
For the second year in a row, the Nets’ season ends in a sweep. A year that started with championship ambitions again ended in the first round. The Nets are now going into another summer of questions as they must decide if it’s worth chasing a star, what to do with their draft picks, free agency, and so on. This chain felt similar to Boston’s from a year ago. It’s a sweep, but the games were a bit closer than the sweep indicated. Regardless, the Nets missed chances this series going back to Philly either 3-1 or 2-2. – chevre
the background
Without an MVP and likely MVP, Philadelphia took care of Brooklyn on Saturday, becoming the first team to reach the second round this season.
Brooklyn finished the regular season 14-17 after trading away Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Michal Bridges and Cameron Johnson, the key players the Nets received from Phoenix for Durant, led Brooklyn in scoring during the series but struggled on Saturday, collecting 25 points on 30 shots.
The 2023 postseason the NBA is alive and well.
Fill out your entire collection for the Western and Eastern Conference Playoffs ⤵️https://t.co/RvCkfAEfnh pic.twitter.com/BYNx1rODK8
– The NBA (The AthleticNBA) April 17, 2023
required reading
(Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)