3 Nets to blame for Game 1 loss to Sixers in NBA Playoffs

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Well, it didn’t turn out exactly the way this writer expected. The Brooklyn Nets were simply overtaken by the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs. Joel Embiid still did some damage despite double teaming, James Harden turned the clock back with a 3-point play-off back and Paul Reed showed up to much of the crowd. It was a Saturday afternoon to forget for Nets fans, who desperately want to end their tumultuous season with some semblance of hope.

That may not come in this series, though, if the Sixers can continue to exploit the extra attention given to Embiid with a historic perimeter shot (21 from 3-pointers). It probably won’t continue the entire series, but the physical disparity could continue to give Brooklyn tantrums. The sight test validated each franchise’s differing championship schedules, but it still has the makings of a competitive matchup.

In order to not be wrong again, like I was for game 1, the players who struggled will have to intervene. It’s hard to survive scorching fire, but there are some players that we will sadly point out as being partly responsible for the disappointing result.

Here are 3 Nets to blame for the Game 1 loss to the Sixers.

1. Spencer Dinwiddie

Spencer Dinwiddie doesn’t seem like an obvious choice for the scapegoat given he had 14 points and seven assists, but that’s because there weren’t many below-average results on the scoreboard. the box. Those who watched closely, however, saw Dinwiddies’ shortcomings at various points in the game.

He was 1 of 5 from range and had four turnovers. The Nets need Dinwiddie to be what he was for the Dallas Mavericks in last year’s playoffs. It’s the only way this team has a chance to match the Phillys’ firepower. Fans know his defensive limitations and generally accept them as long as he takes them to the other end.

Bad inside lob passes and ineffective play will need to be quickly corrected by the player who could very well be the X factor for the Nets in this series.

2. Joe Harris blamed for Game 1 loss

That X-factor title belonged to Joe Harris not too long ago, but injuries have limited the impact he can have on any given night. He remains dangerous with a 42.6 3-point percentage, so expectations should still be reasonable for the veteran marksman. Harris didn’t come in Game 1.

The Sixers defense played a big part in limiting his open looks, but the 31-year-old will need to find the gaps to be able to get a healthy dose of shots, or at least more than the three he took on Saturday. . If that volume continues, head coach Jacque Vaughn won’t be able to give him many minutes in the future.

The Nets will only work their way through the series by knocking down an abundance of 3s. Harris is a critical part of that game plan, and the whole team needs to look to get him involved in Game 2 early.

When the Nets organization imploded following trade demands from Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, Mikal Bridges pulled the team and fans out of the rubble. And Nic Claxton helped get them to safety with his elite rim protection and efficient play around the basket. Bridges took the lead again Saturday with 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting. Claxton needed to do a little more.

It’s hard to rate Claxtons’ defensive performance on Embiid given that Vaughn made guarding the juggernaut a collective effort, but the 23-year-old limited him to just five rebounds. Plus, he had 10 boards of his own to go with three blocks. By now, you might be wondering why exactly Claxton is on this list, given that he’s done the things that earned him league-wide recognition this season. The answer? He had to do more in critical moments.

Claxton has reached a level where the standards are going to be higher. The lack of depth of the front area demands it. It’s unfair to the fans and myself to ask the young blocking machine, but it further goes to show just how high he’s raised his game. He’s a firm part of Brooklyn’s heart with Bridges and will be integral to the success of this franchise in the future.

This means Claxton will also need to have more attacking impact. His 12.6 points per game on an NBA-leading 70.5 field goal percentage show he can be effective around the basket. The presence of Embiids will complicate this, but five points is unacceptable for this caliber of player.

Everything changes if the Nets can regain their identity Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center for Game 2.

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