It was right there. When you’re a team on the road, you take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. If your opponent doesn’t have full strength, you work the mismatches and make things difficult for them. You do this and you win. If you don’t, you’ll end up where Brooklyn nets are. The Nets missed their free throws and left a very winnable game against a beaten Memphis Grizzlies team. autumn out of their hands. After a certain point, you are what you are.
Tonight’s opponent holds up. THE Philadelphia 76ers are battling their own injuries, but are still a sure bet to make the playoffs. They helped him because of a big road earn on ABC Sunday afternoon against the Dallas Mavericks.
Where to follow the game
YES Network on television. WFAN on the radio. Tipping after 7:30 p.m. ET.
Injuries
No Ben Simmons or Cam Thomas. Simmons’ situation appears worse than it was, as his agent, Bernie Lee, signals frustration with the cycle of pain he — and we — have been going through. Thomas, who is dealing with a sprained ankle, was seen diving off a rim at HSS on Monday.
Joel Embiid is scheduled to be evaluated this week and Philly is hoping the big guy can recover from his knee injury later in the year. Robert Covington is out with a bruised left knee bone. DeAnthony Melton suffers from stress in his lumbar spine bones. Cameron Payne is subject to bail due to illness.
The game
Philadelphia won the game A in November when Brooklyn won the game two in February. They end the season series in April.
Get ready to move, buddy! The Nets will have to be on their A game if they want to stop Tyrese Maxey. Maxey is one of the fastest NBA players and always on the move. One step and he’s gone
Phew! Watching young players take the next step is such a joy and Sixers fans will enjoy watching Maxey for many years to come.
I didn’t realize this until I looked it up, but the Nets are only 27th in free throw percentage at 75.4 percent. (I would have bet my life they were better than that. It’s a good thing I didn’t bet my life because if I had, I wouldn’t be here right now!) Nets have to be exceptional at everything if they want to sneak into the playoffs, and that starts with converting on those easy opportunities.
Brooklyn was obliterated on the glass last night 50-33, and they can’t afford for that to happen again. Even without Embiid, they are one of the better teams offensively and that’s where Memphis wore down Brooklyn. If Day’Ron Sharpe is less than 100 percent, the Nets will have to rely even more on Nic Claxton. Clax had just six rebounds in 33 minutes, and the team will need him to take the glass against Paul Reed and Mo Bamba.
Player to watch: Buddy Hield
Taking a new job allows you to flex new muscles. The new environment allows you to see the job differently, gain new experiences and exploit elements that may not have been present in the other job. This is where Buddy Hield finds himself after his move from the Pacers to Philadelphia. He recently spoke on moving from Indiana to Philadelphia and his work creating shots for others:
“[I’m] coming from the Pacers where I was just playing my role, just a floor spacer. You know, Tyrese Haliburton was our guy – he’s the guy over there. He does so much for everyone, so I didn’t need the ball in my hand. I couldn’t love, do so much…
I wasn’t allowed to show what else I could do because it generates so much offense for everyone. And he’s so good. But now I find myself in a situation where the guys are out and I had to take over that role… And you know, I prepare for it because I’m always training, every day, and I’m just trying to stay ready. And wait for such opportunities to present themselves.
Since the move, he has averaged a career-high 5.5 assists per night. He’s been excellent offensively as his 15.7 points per game go perfectly with his .447/.414/.750 shooting splits.
When you’re the main option, you can’t afford to play out of the match. The team relies too much on you to make things happen, and if you can’t cook, you’re all in trouble. Mikal Bridges had a bad game last night and his struggles at the free throw line were emblematic of all the team’s woes. He needs to be better if the Nets want to have anything resembling a playoff run in March and April.
From the safe
In April, the 76ers will unveil a statue to honour the legendary Allen Iverson. There are so many memories and awesome moments on AI that we can shout about, so let’s pull one from the 1999 playoffs.
More reading: Liberty balls, SB Nation NBA, Republic of Nets, The Sixer meaning, All PHLY
