In Game 1 of the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series between the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets, Sixers star Joel Embiid didn’t have his biggest statistical game. For the All-Star center and apparent NBA MVP frontrunner who averages over 33 points and 10 rebounds on nearly 55% shooting, Saturday’s 26 points (46.7% FG) and 5 rebounds were somewhat pedestrian, by comparison.
Then again, there was a good reason for that. Brooklyn trapped and double teamed Embiid all over the court, effectively daring other players to beat them out of resulting four-on-three situations. That’s exactly what the rest of the Sixers did, making 21-of-43 from 3-point range (48.8%) in a dominant 20-point home victory (recap).
