Sixers’ lack of ‘desperation,’ spacing issues lead to 34-point Game 2
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Lack of ‘desperation,’ spacing issues lead to 34-point loss with Embiid back originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
What went wrong for the Sixers on Wednesday night in Boston?
Just about everything besides Joel Embiid getting through Game 2.
The MVP came back from a right knee sprain and was tremendous at times defensively in the opening 18 minutes, blocking five shots during that span. In terms of the game’s result, it didn’t matter very much, though.
The Sixers started 1 for 13 from three-point range, got blitzed by Boston in a dismal third quarter, and ultimately lost Game 2 of their second-round playoff series to the Celtics by 34 points. Embiid didn’t play any of the fourth quarter because the game was noncompetitive by that stage.
“I just thought tonight, obviously, they made a lot of shots — 14 more threes than us,” Embiid said. “They beat us to every loose ball and they played with more desperation than us. We didn’t execute what we wanted to and we’ve got to be better.
“We knew they were going to try to respond after us winning that first game and we just weren’t ready enough, but we’ll fix it.”
Through their three quarters on the court, Embiid and James Harden combined to attempt 18 free throws. The other members of the Sixers’ rotation took zero.
Harden had two three-pointers spin around the rim and out. He didn’t think anything on the Celtics’ end was the main reason he followed up a fantastic, 45-point Game 1 with a 2-for-14 night from the floor.
“No. Our spacing wasn’t right,” Harden said. “And this is a make-or-miss league. We didn’t really start making shots until that third quarter, and then they went on a big run. For us, we’ve just got to do a better job of knowing where we are on the floor and just allowing each other to have space and to generate shots — easier shots.”
Harden and the Sixers have frequently pointed to spacing as a primary issue this season on substandard…
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