On April 17, Beijing time, the NBA playoff curtain officially opened, and the 76ers sat at home to meet the Raptors! This is seen by many as a set of evenly matched opponents, and even many experts predict that the Raptors will be on the top. However, this did not happen in today's game, and in the final fourth quarter, the 76ers beat the Raptors 131-111 to get off the door.
The reason why many people predicted before the game that this would be a set of glue alignments, because the styles of the two teams were diametrically opposed, the Raptors hoarded a lot of static talented long-arm monsters, and their athleticism and defensive ability of the front group would greatly weaken embiid and Harden's blocking threat, which in turn would cause great trouble to the 76ers' offense.
However, the game is not on paper, and the 76ers took the initiative at the beginning of today! Although Embiid was very uncomfortable with the bag and Harden's shooting feel was not very good, the entire 76ers' offense did not stop because of this, on the contrary, they were more fluent than ever. The 76ers scored in double figures in the first half, delivering 16 assists and zero turnovers, establishing an early 18-point lead and laying the foundation for the victory.
Embiid did what he said, he read the game situation well, found a balance between playing aggressive and trusting his teammates, and was able to make the right choice when he faced a pinch! The same is true of Harden, who is the organizational core of the team, doing a good job of breaking points, 10 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds in the half, and combing the team's offense in an orderly manner. Maxi and Harris became the beneficiaries of Harden and Embiid's major deployment, got a lot of easy shots, and most of them seized, punishing the Raptors' defensive strategy fiercely.
Despite Maxie and Harris playing above-season averages, the Raptors still didn't pay enough attention to him and still packed him crazy, which made Maxie's career night. Maxi scored 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting in the third quarter, like a sharp blade, straight into the Raptors' soft ribs! According to statistics, 21 points in a single quarter set the second highest score in the 76ers' history in the single quarter, second only to Iverson's 26 points. With Maxi's outstanding performance, the 76ers sat firmly in the driver's seat and finally closed the race smoothly.
At the end of the game, Maxi had 38 points and 4 rebounds on 14-of-21 shooting, becoming the youngest player in the history of the 76ers to cut 30+ in a single playoff game, Harden had 22 points, 5 rebounds and 14 assists on 6-of-17 shooting, Embiid contributed 19 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists on 5-of-15 shooting, and Harris also had 26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists!
Compared to last year's playoffs, the 76ers now have too many offensive weapons, offensive options. After sending Simmons away, the 76ers finally no longer have to worry about space problems, Harden solved all of Simmons' problems on the offensive end, he shot 4 three-pointers today, in addition, Maxi's growth rate this year is amazing, as if it became the team's third offensive choice, and the third cup of poison prepared by 76 for the Raptors.
The 76ers threw the problem to the Raptors with a big win, and in the next game, did they dare to pinch Embiid and Harden without scruples, allowing Maxi and Harris to go? Whether embiid and Harden beat the inside line, or let the 76ers shoot themselves on the outside line, two cups of poison always have to choose one!
For the Raptors, the team's supernova barnes was trampled by Embiid in the final quarter today, and it is not known whether he can play the next game.