On May 3, Beijing time, the 2021-22 NBA playoffs continued. In today's East Focus game, the 76ers took on the Heat on the road, the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the two sides. With Embiid sidelined for G1 and G2 due to injury, Harden's performance today was particularly important!
After the game began, the 76ers were hit by the Heat to a 9-2 start, with Harden assisting Maxie's throw with a long pass. But the 76ers failed to turn the tide, trailing the Heat 6-18. In the second half of the quarter, Harden sent consecutive assists to help the team chase points, after which Harden grabbed the rebound in front of the court and caused two fouls. In the next round, Harden singled Hiro withdrew to shoot a three-point shot. In an offensive round, Harden was whistled for an offensive foul on an old teammate Tucker on a layup. Throughout the first quarter, Harden had 5 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists on 1-of-5 shooting.
In the second quarter, Harden re-emerged in the middle of the quarter, first holding the ball through halftime, shooting a three-point shot at 45 degrees on the left side, and then Harden again fouled Tucker. In the next offensive round, Harden broke through to the front court and hit several European steps to the basket. Harden then fouled Vincent defensively, for which he was booed by the audience. Under Harden's leadership, the 76ers were close to the point difference, 28 seconds before the end of the quarter, Harden broke through to the basket to hit a tough shot, the 76ers led the Heat 51:50 to end the first half of the game, Harden had 7 points and 2 rebounds in this quarter.
However, after entering the third quarter of the game, Harden did not enter the game state for a long time. In the first eight minutes, he conceded two shots without scoring just two assists, including one goal assist Jordan Jr. to complete the air dunk. Two and a half minutes before the end of the quarter, Harden broke through to the basket and hit a jump shot by Dedmond. Harden then broke through on the left to cause another foul on Dudemon and hit both free throws. At the end of the third quarter, the 76ers were overtaken by the Heat, trailing the Heat 72-80, and Harden scored 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists after the third quarter.
In the final quarter of the Showdown, Harden was resting on the bench, and the Heat played consecutive offensive climaxes to extend the lead. Faced with a gap of more than 20 points, Harden has difficulty helping the team chase points after re-emerging.
In the end, the 76ers lost to the Heat on the road and trailed 0-1 in the series. In today's game, Harden played a total of 38 minutes, shooting only 5 of 13, including 2 of 7 three-pointers and 4 of 4 from the free throw line, totaling only 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, and as many as 5 turnovers.
The second leg of the two-team series will take place on May 5, and the 76ers will continue to play away from home.