How Joel Embiid, James Harden Led Sixers To Game 1 Win vs. Nets

James Harden, Joel Embiid, NBA News, Philadelphia 76ers
NBA Analysis Network

In Saturday’s 121-101 Game 1 victory over Mikal Bridges and the Brooklyn Nets, Joel Embiid led the Philadelphia 76ers with 26 points. James Harden made seven 3-pointers and recorded 23 points and 13 assists. Tobias Harris added 21 points. It was the first game to open the 2023 NBA playoffs.

The Nets showed their clear focus was to double-team Embiid as often as they could, considering they do not have the physical profile to handle him without doing so. The strategy was unsuccessful, considering how effective the Sixers were at knocking down catch-and-shoot jumpers, attacking closeouts, cutting, and doing whatever was necessary to counter.

“Just trying to be aggressive,” Harden said of his mentality. “They’re double-teaming Joel, so somebody else has got to try to make shots and be aggressive.

“Just put the work in, and you live with the results.”

NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS SCORES: James Harden, Joel Embiid, Mikal Bridges, Philadelphia 76ers & Brooklyn Nets Updates

What makes the 76ers such a tough team to contain is that when Embiid is doubled, he has the talent around him to counter. Harden struggled inside the arc but was often converting step-back 3s and dishing out dimes to teammates, putting them in favorable positions to succeed with the pass. Philadelphia opened their Eastern Conference playoff series with a franchise-record 21 three-pointers.

“I mean, he’s the MVP,” Harden said of Embiid. “So it’s like, would you rather him score 40, or live with us making shots? Either way, it’s fine. We’ll be ready either way.”

In the first half, Bridges scored 23 of his 30 points in the first half to help the Nets at least remain in the game entering the break but they still trailed 68-57. He was often seeking out Harden by putting him in the action to attack and the 76ers were allowing him to see single coverage often throughout his performance.

“It feels good to make some shots,” Bridges said. “But I’d rather miss shots and win. It’s whatever.”

NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS SCORES: James Harden, Joel Embiid, Mikal Bridges, Philadelphia 76ers & Brooklyn Nets Updates

The 76ers led by as many as 25 points with the Nets never leading at any point. At no point was Brooklyn a serious threat to challenge Philadelphia. Embiid would like to see Harden be more aggressive as a scorer as the playoffs progress.

“Like I’ve said, he’s the best playmaker in the league, by far,” Embiid said of Harden, “but we don’t want him settling. I don’t want him to fall in love with just that. We need him to be aggressive, and he was today.

“I think that’s the key — not just being a playmaker, just being aggressive, going downhill and creating for himself and everyone else.”

The Nets were outmatched in many ways as a team. It starts with the difference in size and strength due to Embiid, playing a key role in them giving up 14 offensive rebounds and being outscored 21-3 in second-chance points. Brooklyn also committed 20 turnovers and was outscored 31-11 in points off turnovers, while being comfortably outproduced by eight makes from 3-point range.

The 76ers and Nets return to action on Tuesday to play Game 2 in Philadelphia.

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