Brooklyn Nets chance to even the series improve – Embiid doubtful
By Ed Stein
The Brooklyn Nets trail Philadelphia two games to one in their opening round playoff series. Sixers star center Joel Embiid is doubtful for Game 4, the Nets just got a chance for redemption.
Ahead of their Game 4 playoff matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia announced center Joel Embiid is doubtful for the contest with a sore knee. The injured third-year player was seen at the 76ers shootaround on Friday, casually hoisting up three-point shots while wearing slippers.
Embiid sat out of Thursday night’s game in which Brooklyn was soundly beaten at the Barclay’s Center 131-115. Ben Simmons scored a career playoff high of 31 points, and Tobias Harris added 29 of his own. The biggest insult for the Nets, however, was that even with Embiid’s 13.6 rebounds per game out of the lineup, they were still beaten on the glass 54-43. That included 15 Philly offensive rebounds.
10-year veteran journeyman Greg Monroe was Embiid’s replacement on Thursday. Coming into the series Monroe had played a total of 246 playoff minutes in 17 games. Those numbers are far from below average. Even without the benefit of much career playoff experience, he still scored nine points and pulled down 13 rebounds in 25 minutes. The Nets can’t afford a repeat tonight.
In 2018-19, the Brooklyn Nets finished seventh in the league, averaging 46.6 rebounds a game. That was just 1.2 behind fourth-place Philadelphia. There is little reason why they were so manhandled last time around. Jarrett Allen and his teammates need to work harder on the boards, especially since Embiid will either miss the game entirely or be limited.
As the young Nets grow as a team they need to learn that when there is an opportunity for an advantage, they need to seize it. Additionally, this time of year, it’s the little things such as hustling back on defense, boxing out, and fighting for every possible ball that turns the tide of a series.
Next. St. Johns picks a winner, Mike Anderson as new head coach. dark
The hole isn’t that big. A win tonight and the series is back to even. It’s up to Kenny Atkinson’s team to get the extra inch here and there to pull it off.