On April 17, the first round of the NBA playoffs, the 76ers defeated the Raptors by 20 points at home, achieving a playoff start, and leading the opponent 1-0 in the series. The Big Three of the 76ers performed strongly in this game, with Harden, although shooting average, but cutting 22 points while also having 5 rebounds and 14 assists, and Embiid had 19 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Young maxi has 38 points and 4 rebounds, and his previous playoff high score was only 16 points, which greatly refreshed his career playoff single-game scoring record.
After the game, the 76ers players were interviewed, and the outstanding Maxi staged a murderous scene for Harden:
Harden said: "I played the playoffs in 13 years..."
Maxi: "You're old"
I have to say that Maxi's move does make Harden very helpless, but there is really not much to do, after all, Maxi was born in 2000, only 21 years old, Harden was born in 1989, has been 32 years old, and is indeed a veteran in the league. Of course, no one wants others to say that they are old, but a post-80s can only be helpless in the face of such remarks as a post-00s.
Harden and Maxi have a good relationship, before Harden also took Maxi and Niang to Miami for a "rock club style steak", and Harden also praised Maxie's performance in interviews many times. The relationship between the two off the court is very good, which is also helpful for their play on the field, during the game Harden assisted super gods, many of which were given to Maxy, whether it was Maxy's empty cut basket or three-pointer, there is a shadow of Harden's assist, it can also be said that Harden's arrival completely activated Maxi.
After today's game, 76ers coach Rivers Sr. also gave a very high evaluation, he praised Maxi's speed advantage as the key to the team's win, he played without pressure, and the team will focus on this next. To know that this game Maxi scored 21 points in a single quarter, which is the second highest score in a single quarter for the 76ers in the past 25 seasons, and he is only 21 years old this year, the youngest playoff player in the history of the 76ers to playoff 30+ players.
At the same time, he also praised Harden, who had 14 assists, saying: "When Harden came out, we showed better continuity than before, and we continued to play good rounds, which is commendable. Harden's shooting percentage in this game was average, only 6-of-17, but his organization and instigation were needed by the 76ers.
In this way, the 76ers have made the playoffs open, and then they still can't relax, the Raptors as the fifth place in the East, the strength is still very strong, so a 20-point win can not let the 76ers relax, but also look forward to the next Harden and Maxi performance.