No Embiid? No Problem: Sixers Sweep Nets

Saturday afternoon’s Game 4 matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets had a much different look compared to the first three games. As Sixers’ center Joel Embiid felt soreness and swelling in his knee following the comeback victory on Thursday, the big man returned to Philly to undergo an MRI.

Although Embiid avoided a long-term setback, the Sixers’ center was diagnosed with a sprained knee. After learning his diagnosis, the Sixers ruled Embiid out for the Game 4 matchup. Going into the game, Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn acknowledged that the absence of Embiid would tweak their gameplan.

“It’s different because, obviously, he was an extreme focus for us in the previous games,” said Vaughn. “I think he ended up with 14 points in the last game, so he’s been number one on our scouting report. Had to go back and look at some games with no Embiid and what does that look like for their group. They play differently; faster, more transition, Maxey becomes a premium along with Harden. More shooting out there. It changes the dynamic and our scouting report for sure.”

How 76ers, Nets Prepared for Joel Embiid-Less Game 4

As for the Sixers, they were in a tough spot, missing their MVP-caliber center, who impacts the game in several areas. Without Embiid available, the Sixers trotted out a starting five that included Tyrese Maxey, James Harden, Tobias Harris, PJ Tucker, and Paul Reed.

Before Saturday’s Game 4 matchup, Reed started in just four regular season games in his career. The outing was Reed’s starting debut in the playoffs.

The void of Embiid was clear for the 76ers through the first half of Saturday’s game. As the Nets didn’t need their defenders to throw crowded looks at a single player, the Sixers certainly had to adjust to life without their big man.

Unfortunately, Philly’s offense couldn’t take advantage of the seven-shot difference. From the field, the Sixers knocked down 16 of their 47 shots. From beyond the arc, the Sixers shot just 18 percent in the first half. The Nets established an eight-point lead during halftime.

76ers Missed Joel Embiid for Game 4 vs. Nets

The intermission time did wonders for the Sixers. After a frustrating offensive showing in the first two quarters, the Sixers came out in the third quarter looking like an entirely different squad.

Philadelphia guard Tyrese Maxey churned out a ten-point quarter, while Paul Reed dominated on the glass with seven rebounds in 11 minutes.

While Philadelphia trailed for the entire first half, they took the lead a little over halfway through the third quarter courtesy of a 14-0 run. The Sixers outscored the Nets 26-15, which allowed them to head into the fourth quarter with a 66-63 advantage.

For the third-straight game, the Sixers worked on shifting the momentum of the matchup in the fourth quarter after finding themselves trailing early on. Philly forward Tobias Harris continued having an efficient scoring performance, while Paul Reed remained consistent on the glass.

The Nets showed some fight at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t long before the Sixers put their foot on the gas and closed out the matchup with an impressive shorthanded victory. With a 96-88 win over Brooklyn in Game 4, the Sixers advance to the second round, eliminating the Nets.