On May 3, Beijing time, 92-106, the 76ers lost the first game to the Heat, and the big score was 0-1 behind. In this battle, Rivers's decision to let Jordan Jr. start caused great controversy. However, after the game, Rivers supported Jordan Jr. and said he would continue to let him start first.
With Embiid unable to play, Jordan Jr. played 17 minutes and 16 seconds, shooting 2-of-2 from the field, with 4 points, 2 rebounds and 2 blocks, plus-minus -22. According to statistics, when Jordan Jr. rested off the field, the plus-minus of the 76ers was +8.
Still, Rivers expressed his support for Jordan Jr., "We like DJ (Jordan Jr.). Like it or not, we'll keep making him start. ”
In fact, another big loss for the 76ers in this game was that they could not open the outside line. Throughout the game, the 76ers made 34 shots from outside the three-point line, hitting just six of them, shooting as low as 17.6 percent. According to statistics, the 76ers set a new record for the lowest shooting rate in the team's history when making at least 30 single-game shots in the playoffs. Among them, Niang scored 0-of-7 from three-point range and Maxi made 1-of-6 three-pointers.
Moreover, in this battle, the 76ers received Harden's pass and three-point shot 10 of 0, the worst draw in the past 8 years. In 2016, the Celtics also shot 0-of-10 from outside the three-point line after receiving a pass from Thomas Jr. Moreover, after Harden came to the 76ers, he never made more than 20 shots, and the highest number of shots in a single game was 19. In this battle, he only shot 13 times. At the Nets this season, Harden has made more than 20 shots in 12 games (up to a maximum of 25). In this way, little Jordan may just be a pot-carrying man.