Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo the finalists for MVP

Gerald Bourguet: Devin Booker misses out on being an MVP finalist behind Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo. He could still be in the top-5, but he’s not one of the 3 finalists
Source: Twitter @GeraldBourguet

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Asked Budenholzer about the thought process of taking Giannis Antetokounmpo off the floor with 1:24 left. Antetokounmpo did not get back on the floor for over a minute and returned to the floor with 15.3 seconds left.
His explanation: pic.twitter.com/Gl4Z4Stg0s – 9:27 PM Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Billy Donovan on Patrick Williams’ foul on Giannis while jockeying for rebound position down stretch: “I thought it was over-the-back (on Giannis), just from my angle.” But said Bulls need to do better job moving on to next play – 9:22 PM Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Billy Donovan thought that Giannis went over Patrick Williams’ back, which should have resulted in him fouling out, but he didn’t want to fixate on it: “We have to move on to the next play.” – 9:21 PM KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Billy Donovan thought Giannis went over Patrick Williams’ back, which would’ve been Giannis’ 6th foul. Instead, Williams drew a foul. – 9:20 PM Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Donovan thought Patrick Williams foul was over-the-back on Giannis, but said his team needs to do a better job of moving on. – 9:19 PM Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
Bucks’ #NBAPlayoffs kicks for Game 1:
• Giannis in the Freak 1
• Khris in the Kobe 6
• Pat in a KD 14 iD
• Wes in the Grinches pic.twitter.com/gx2gIoUoRe – 9:18 PM Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Bulls fall in Game 1. Bucks 93-86. Holiday with 9 of his 15 in the 4th quarter. Giannis with a game high 27points. Vooch 24-17. Zach: 18-10. Bulls 18% 3pt range. We will do it again . Game 2. 8:15 on @WBBMNewsradio – 9:12 PM Rob Mahoney @RobMahoney
Something to keep an eye on:
Bucks with Giannis: +19 in 34 minutes
Bucks without Giannis: -12 in 14 minutes – 9:09 PM Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Bucks take Game 1 93-86
Vucevic: 24-17-3
LaVine: 18-10-3
DeRozan: 18-8-6
(Those three shot combined 21-for-71)
Coby: 12 pts off bench
Giannis: 27-16-3
Lopez: 18-5
Teams shoot combined 17-75 from 3 – 9:05 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
I thought the Bulls missed a chance to challenge that foul on Williams where Giannis was kind of over his back. Could have been his 6th. Think it probably would have gotten upheld b/c Williams grabbed him at one point, but was worth a shot. – 9:05 PM KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Bucks 93, Bulls 86
Vucevic 24 pts, 17 rebs
LaVine 18 pts, 10 rebs
DeRozan 18 pts, 8 rebs, 6 assists; 6-25 FGs
Bulls 7-37 from 3
Vucevic missed point blank layup and LaVine missed a 3 in final minute. This was great chance for Bulls to steal Game 1.
Giannis 27 pts, 15 rebs – 9:03 PM Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
FINAL: Bucks 93, Bulls 86
– Antetokounmpo 27pts/16reb/3ast
– Lopez 18pts/5reb
– Holiday 15pts/6reb/6ast
– Middleton 11pts/5reb/6ast – 9:03 PM Darnell Mayberry @DarnellMayberry
Final: Bucks 93, Bulls 86.
Nikola Vučević: 24/17/3
Zach LaVine: 18/10/3
DeMar DeRozan: 18/8/6
Coby White: 12/4
G. Antetokounmpo: 27/16/3.
Milwaukee takes a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 is Wednesday night. – 9:03 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Giannis has won 14 straight games vs the Bulls.
The last Bulls win was 2017, when Nikola Mirotic was still on the team. pic.twitter.com/J47KcpEzcX – 9:02 PM Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
Bud is hilarious. What the hell is he thinking taking Giannis out and then not calling timeout to out him back in? – 9:01 PM Michael Grange @michaelgrange
What situation is Bud subbing Giannis in and out for? What is he not good enough at? – 8:59 PM Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Do we think that Bud sometimes is just like “let’s try to make this as hard as possible on ourselves?”
Playing offense/defense with Giannis is like, laugh out loud funny. – 8:59 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
I’m not a coach, but I feel like going offense-defense with Giannis is a weird decision. – 8:59 PM Dave Mason @DeuceMason
No way I’m talking Giannis out of the game with a minute left – 8:58 PM Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Bud, I dunno if I pull Giannis. Gotta trust him – 8:58 PM Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Subbing Giannis out with less than 2 minutes left in the game because he had 5 fouls is wild, can’t believe they got away with it – 8:58 PM John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Saving Giannis for the overtime – 8:58 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
This is a ludicrous decision to take Giannis out – 8:57 PM Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Giannis should have fouled out on that over-the-back, no-call. – 8:56 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
They ain’t never just cheat for Giannis like that. 😂😂 – 8:55 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Giannis was horse-back on Pat Williams and the over-the-back foul was on Chicago? – 8:55 PM Sopan Deb @SopanDeb
Not sure how that’s not over the back on Giannis. – 8:55 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Keystone Kops triple team on Giannis left Holiday wide open for a 3. – 8:44 PM Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Giannis back in with 5 fouls. – 8:43 PM Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Coming out of the timeout, Mike Budenholzer goes with his starters — save Giannis Antetokounmpo. Pat Connaughton is in for him. – 8:40 PM Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Second game in a row Giannis has had foul trouble vs. #Bulls. He and LaVine both have 5 fouls, Bulls trail 75-74 with 8:14 left – 8:39 PM Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Wow. Giannis just picked up his fifth foul with 8:14 to play. Alex Caruso stepped in and took a charge on a drive late in the shot clock – 8:36 PM Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Now Giannis picks up his fifth foul – 8:36 PM Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Giannis Antetokounmpo is called for another offensive foul – his fifth. Alex Caruso was waiting for it.
8:14 to go in regulation in this one. – 8:36 PM Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Giannis now has five. – 8:36 PM KC Johnson @KCJHoop
5 fouls on Giannis – 8:35 PM Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
That Giannis foul is the equivalent of holding onto the ropes while you’ve got someone in the figure four. You shouldn’t do it but it ain’t that bad – 8:35 PM Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
And Giannis Antetokounmpo just picked up his fourth personal foul trying to clear out Alex Caruso for a catch on the left elbow. – 8:34 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Giannis needing help guarding Vucevic in the post – 8:34 PM Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Giannis doing work
pic.twitter.com/puVMQD6pOj – 8:29 PM Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
#Bulls trail 74-71 heading into 4thQ. Need to stay disciplined on defense vs. Giannis to have a chance. Vucevic 22 & 12, LaVine 18, DeRozan 5-19 FGs for 14 pts. Giannis 27 & 12 – 8:28 PM Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday are a combined 7-for-22 (1-for-9 from behind the three-point line).
Giannis Antetokounmpo is carrying the load through three quarters for the #Bucks with 27 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks.
#Bucks lead the #Bulls 74-71 after one. – 8:26 PM Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Giannis absolutely flattens DeMar on his way to a layup and gets the free throw to boot. Makes it easier to quell a comeback when he’s available to sub back in. – 8:25 PM Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dunk at the 6:40 mark was the last #Bucks score.
2:43 remain in the third quarter, #Bulls up 69-64.
And 34 is back in the game. – 8:22 PM Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Bucks with Giannis in: +10
Bucks with Giannis out: -15 – 8:21 PM Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Foul update w/ 5:43 to go the third quarter.
#Bucks
3 – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen
#Bulls
4 – Zach LaVine
3 – Alex Caruso – 8:14 PM Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Javonte just can’t do anything on Giannis when the Bucks throw it over the top, hops and hustle can’t make up for that size advantage – 8:12 PM Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Khris Middleton draws Zach LaVine’s fourth foul by taking a charge on a fast break — which leads to an assist and bucket by Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Fitting partner for Middleton to pass #Bucks HOFer for No. 4 on the all-time franchise playoff assists list. – 8:12 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Nuggets coach Michael Malone loves hearing about Draymond Green’s fear that Nikola Jokic “will come out with a vengeance.” pic.twitter.com/3AVHk9oXbO – 7:55 PM Kyle Kuzma @kylekuzma
Who is more dominant Giannis or Jo? – 7:47 PM Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Not sure what to make of that 1stH. #Bulls did a great job of weathering the storm, then missed several opportunities to get closer. Bucks lead 51-43 at half. Bulls are 3-for-17 from 3, but lead in made FTs 14-5.
DeRozan has 12, LaVine 11, Vucevic 10; Giannis 17 & 11 – 7:43 PM Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Halftime: Bucks 51, Bulls 43
DeRozan: 12 pts, 4-12 FG
LaVine: 11 pts, 3-9 FG
Vucevic: 10 pts, 3-10 FG
Bulls shot 31.7%, 3-17 from 3
Giannis: 17-11-2
Bucks shot 6-22 (27.3%) from 3 and 5-10 from FT line – 7:42 PM KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Bucks 51, Bulls 43 at half
DeRozan 12 pts
LaVine 11 pts
Vucevic 10 pts, 7 rebs
Bulls 31.7 FG%; 3-17 from 3
Giannis 16 pts, 11 rebs
Bucks 6-21 from 3 – 7:41 PM KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Bucks 5`, Bulls 43 at half
DeRozan 12 pts
LaVine 11 pts, 3 fouls
Vucevic 10 pts, 7 rebs
Bulls 31.7 FG%; 3-17 from 3
Giannis 17 pts, 11 rebs
Bucks 6-21 from 3
Bucks 13 2nd-chance points – 7:41 PM Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Huh.
Zach LaVine decides to pick up his third foul with a tick left by shoving Gianni Antetokounmpo in the back on a loose ball.
#Bucks go into the half up 51-43. – 7:41 PM Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Zach LaVine picks up his third foul with 0.1 secs left in first half. Forearmed Giannis jockeying for rebound position on a last-second shot – 7:41 PM Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Man, that’s just great hustle from your two best players. Antetokounmpo with the contest on LaVine. Middleton with the fight for the rebound. – 7:40 PM Rashad Mobley @rashad20
Giannis is too experienced to be taking these types of rushed shots in a playoff game – 7:34 PM Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Bulls are hanging in after disaster start. Have trailed by as many as 16, but Zach LaVine has a chance to trim to 6 out of this timeout
Winning the Giannis minutes (by 5 so far) and Bucks shooting 5-19 from 3 helps – 7:34 PM Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
#Bucks have gone cold from the floor and the #Bulls have cut the lead down to 44-39.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is now back in the game with 4:27 left in the first half. – 7:28 PM Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Giannis Antetokounmpo just picked up his second personal foul and Mike Budenholzer opted to bring Bobby Portis into the game for him.
8:18 left in the second quarter. – 7:21 PM Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Giannis Antetokounmpo heads to the #Bucks bench with 8:18 to go in the half with two fouls. Milwaukee leads Chicago by 10. – 7:20 PM Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Not even sure how many syllables Antetokounmpo actually has. But it’s somewhere around 11 when Ian Eagle screams it after he’s done something incredible. – 7:19 PM Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
First free throws of the game for Giannis Antetokounmpo with 8:25 to go in the first half.
Only eight total free throws for the #Bucks and #Bulls thus far. – 7:19 PM David Thorpe @coachthorpe
I didn’t study it closely, but I saw no malice or intent at all when Embiid helped to cause Scottie’s injury. It was just bad luck for Toronto and Mr. Barnes. Happens every postseason. – 7:19 PM KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Giannis has a double-double just 3:30 into 2nd quarter. – 7:18 PM Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Giannis Antetokounmpo just did that thing where he throws it off the backboard to himself and dunks. – 7:18 PM Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
This is the 5th time in Giannis’ career he’s had a double-double in the first half of a playoff game – 7:17 PM Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
DeRozan draws a fairly light offensive foul on Giannis, who wags his finger at the ref as he jogs back down the court – 7:13 PM Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
I was wondering if we were going to see the Bucks bring the sideline out of bounds Middleton-Antetokounmpo alley-oop back in the postseason.
It’s been there throughout the regular season, but they haven’t been throwing it. – 7:11 PM Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
End of Q1: Not great
Bucks lead 34-21. Brook Lopez and Giannis tearing the defense up. Bulls shooting 2-for-11 from 3-point range.
DeRozan is 2-for-6, LaVine is 2-for-5, Vooch is 2-for-7. Patrick Williams hasn’t taken a shot. – 7:09 PM Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Bucks up, 34-21, after one quarter. Lopez with 11 points. Antetokounmpo has 9pts/8reb.
Advanced Stats
OffRtg: 136.0
DefRtg: 87.5
Net Rtg: +48.5
ORB%: 36.4%
DRB%: 68.8% – 7:08 PM Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
End of Q1: Bucks 34, Bulls 21
Giannis: 9-8-2
Lopez 11 pts
Bulls shot 8-24 (2-11 from 3). Bucks have 18 points in the paint – 7:07 PM Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
So far, just a continuation of regular season for #Bulls. They trail Bucks 34-21 after 1stQ and lucky it wasn’t worse. Bulls shot 33%, Brook Lopez and Giannis combined for 2- pts – 7:06 PM Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Disaster formula midway through first quarter for Bulls:
Giannis has 9-7-2 in less than seven minutes
Bulls are 1-6 from 3 and 1-4 at the rim. 3-14 from field overall – 6:55 PM Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Giannis Antetokounmpo has passed Rajon Rondo for No. 84 on the all-time playoffs rebounds list. – 6:50 PM CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
NBA awards finalists: Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo finish top three for MVP
cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-a… – 6:47 PM Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
giannis pulling up like that less than 2 mins in almost as disrespectful as kyrie throwing it off the backboard to lebron on the opening possession of the series against the raptors – 6:45 PM Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Giannis Antetokounmpo hits a pull-up triple and mean mugs as he flexes down the floor.
Bucks up, 9-0, after a minute and a half. Timeout to Billy Donovan. – 6:44 PM Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Giannis Antetokounmpo punctuates a 9-0 game-opening run for the #Bucks. #Bulls start 0-for-3 from the floor. – 6:44 PM Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Bucks open game on a 9-0 run, punctuated by a Giannis 3. Timeout Billy Donovan, 10:27 Q1 – 6:43 PM Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
PWill obviously gets first Giannis duty, Zach on Jrue Holiday. – 6:42 PM Krishna Narsu @knarsu3
KD definitely gets way less slander than any other star in the league. If Steph or Harden or Giannis or Jokic or pick any other star had that game, the takes that’d be flying… – 6:40 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic #NBA MVP finalists.
FYI: Devin Booker was in my Top 3. #Suns pic.twitter.com/eDaZMdCOok – 6:18 PM Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
No Giannis for DPOY? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/o9xzxSCliD – 6:17 PM Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Joel Embiid is officially an MVP finalist along with Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. – 6:16 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
The MVP finalists are Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo #Sixers – 6:15 PM Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
And think: The winner of this bloodbath gets Giannis – 6:10 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker misses out on being an MVP finalist behind Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo. He could still be in the top-5, but he’s not one of the 3 finalists – 6:09 PM Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
MVP award ranking, per our NBA awards poll among media member
1. Nikola Jokic
2. Joel Embiid
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
4. Devin Booker
5. Luka Doncic
6. Jayson Tatum – 5:08 PM Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Draymond Green on Nikola Jokic: “I feel like he’s gonna come out and try to give me 40, 15 and 15 next Game. I feel like he’s pissed off and coming back with a vengeance.”
Full detailed Draymond soundbite on the challenge of defending Jokic pic.twitter.com/XHv4TCd0MH – 5:05 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Draymond Green on Nikola Jokic: “He’s the MVP for a reason. He’s possibly the MVP again, we don’t know yet, for a reason…When I’m guarding him, I’m also playing chess. It’s a lot of different games within the game that you have to play against a guy that’s that smart.” – 4:51 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Draymond Green on Nikola Jokic: “He’s pissed off and coming back for a vengeance tomorrow.” pic.twitter.com/FwotNCJvBR – 4:45 PM Marcus Thompson @ThompsonScribe
Draymond on Jokic: “I feel like he’s going to come back and try to get 40, 15 and 15. … Incredible, incredible player. Very, very TOUGH guard.” – 4:44 PM Marcus Thompson @ThompsonScribe
Draymond on Jokic: “I feel like he’s going to come back and try to get 40, 15 and 15. … Incredible, incredible player. Very, very touch guard.” – 4:43 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Draymond Green breaks down the Warriors’ defense on Jokic and the team’s three-guard lineup with Curry, Klay and Poole pic.twitter.com/9pSMvtzleV – 4:18 PM Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Nick Nurse not happy with the officiating on Joel Embiid. Doc Rivers was mum…sort of sports.yahoo.com/doc-rivers-sta… – 3:46 PM Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Jayson Tatum got on that Giannis diet. Dude is deezed. – 3:44 PM Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Joel Embiid enjoyed the music today … pic.twitter.com/6mzw8oSwik – 1:14 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Just Joel Embiid grooving to the symphony happy Sunday pic.twitter.com/pJDZjF5zsC – 1:13 PM Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid getting some extra work in post practice / film session while we wrap up with his teammates. The group has continued to sing his praises today for how he played last night + handled Toronto’s pressure pic.twitter.com/eDJFlpTzlN – 1:13 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Embiid, opera guy? pic.twitter.com/5013iIZ5mG – 1:12 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid is just out here vibing to classical music #Sixers pic.twitter.com/08diUBBgWb – 1:11 PM Noah Levick @NoahLevick
From Doc Rivers:
-Didn’t want to touch any officiating discussion. Joked he thought Joel Embiid “got fouled every time.”
-Wants team to hit Embiid more on post-ups, duck-ins
-Likes Harden-Maxey w/bench players a lot, plans to “force” that moving forward – 12:51 PM Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Potential adjustment from Denver in Game 2: Get Nikola Jokic off Draymond Green and out of the screen action. Jokic seems to be trying to get Gordon onto Green in this clip. Gordon doesn’t do it. Curry gets an open 3.
Easiest solution is probably having Jokic guard Wiggins. pic.twitter.com/bPFYkYS2NB – 12:41 PM Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Joel Embiid was a bully and The Dribbler turned into The Spectator in Philly’s series opening win over Toronto: yhoo.it/3xuEzi0 – 12:27 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Paul Reed was a factor in the Game 1 win. He received praise from Joel Embiid and Doc Rivers after his performance. #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/04/17/pau… via @SixersWire – 11:31 AM Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Tough to watch, but sequence here is absolutely worst case for Barnes. His own weight was on outside of left foot as he came to double Embiid — you can see his sneaker stretch — and then Embiid brings his full momentum onto Scottie’s foot and it gets ugly. pic.twitter.com/DLkKSQuscP – 11:23 AM Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Nikola Jokic on the series vs. Warriors: “We are underdogs here. But we need to act like the dogs.” pic.twitter.com/RHPLYNe91C – 11:16 AM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
New ESPN story: A horrible, no-good, very bad Game 1 for the Toronto Raptors only got worse when Scottie Barnes limped off with an ankle sprain. Plus, Nick Nurse had some things to say about how Joel Embiid was officiated. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 11:08 AM Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
The Nuggets are down 1-0 to the Warriors. What went wrong in San Francisco last night for the Nuggets, from the large FT disparity to the Jokic defense of it all to being down again after Game 1 again theathletic.com/3254305/2022/0… – 9:13 AM Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Nikola Jokic: The Warriors beat us in everey aspect of the game sportando.basketball/en/nikola-joki… – 9:09 AM David Thorpe @coachthorpe
The Barnes MRI is the first event that matters now for the 2022-23 season. I hate writing that. But Coach Ham was right, he is Magic and Pippen, and I’d throw in some Giannis too because he’s a ferocious competitor. Imagine him after a great offseason. Let’s hope it can happen. – 8:32 AM Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Joel Embiid: “Having played against them for so long, same coach, I kind of know how they think… especially defensively. I think it’s all about me making the right plays over and over and over.”
He made the right play in Game 1. Tyrese Maxey benefitted: https://t.co/IWCOPWaYYd pic.twitter.com/wAq96qChlp – 8:30 AM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Raptors‘ Nurse: “If you beat him to the spot and he runs over, it’s a foul. I thought he threw three or four elbows to the face. He got called for one.”
Nurse thinks more calls should have been made against #Sixers’ Joel Embiid in Game 1 inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… – 7:39 AM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Raptors coach Nick Nurse thinks more calls should have been made against #Sixers’ Joel Embiid in Game 1 inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 6:32 AM Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Nikola Jokic: We are underdogs but we need to fight like dogs
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/13… – 4:46 AM Connor Letourneau @Con_Chron
I wrote on how the Warriors — and specifically Draymond Green — contained Nikola Jokic in Game 1: sfchronicle.com/sports/warrior… – 4:10 AM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
The Nuggets finished 0-for-5 (0-2 3-pt FG) when Nikola Jokic was doubled in Game 1. This includes 0-3 off passes from Jokic right out of the double per @espnstatsandinfo – 12:28 AM Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Toronto throws more unconventional help and long bodies at star players than anyone.
Just one game, but part of the reason Tyrese Maxey dropped 38 points is that James Harden and Joel Embiid accepted those extra defenders and got off the ball:
https://t.co/IWCOPWaYYd pic.twitter.com/GKhqKyWPoE – 12:20 AM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Nikola Jokic says that the Nuggets have lost Game 1 in several series before so this is nothing new. “The pressure is not on us. We are underdogs. But we got to act like dogs and fight.” – 12:14 AM Michael Singer @msinger
Nikola Jokic: “The pressure’s not on us. We’re underdogs.” – 12:14 AM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Nikola Jokic was asked if he has to do anything different to get calls in a playoff game than in the regular season. Jokic said he can’t answer that question because he didn’t want to get fined. – 12:13 AM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Nikola Jokic on how he was defended: “Really good. They have Draymond who is how many times defensive player (of the year)… they have the tools. I missed a couple of easy ones but I think they were defending it really well… I just need to at least make layups and easy shots.” – 12:11 AM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Nikola Jokic: “They beat us in every aspect of the game.” – 12:10 AM Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Okay just caught up on Warriors-Nuggets. I’m not just kinda not sure what the Nuggets can do against those Dray-at-the-5 lineups. Not sure what their chess move is that is sustainable. I think they might just have to switch and hope the Dubs miss jumpers? Trust Jokic in space? – 11:56 PM Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
New for @YahooSports: The best way to alleviate pressure on Joel Embiid and James Harden? Have Tyrese Maxey put up the game of his life: yhoo.it/3xuEzi0 – 11:45 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Michael Malone said he’ll have to look at the film to see how and why Denver only attempted 13 free-throws tonight. He also adds, “Nikola Jokic played 34 minutes and got to the foul line two times…there were times when his jersey was getting pulled out a lot.” – 11:30 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Jokic didn’t play well, and Denver got blown out. That’s basically what will happen every time Jokic doesn’t play well – it just doesn’t happen much. He can play great & they can still lose, but the first key is getting Jokic into better positions for success & him capitalizing. – 11:14 PM Connor Letourneau @Con_Chron
FINAL: Warriors rout the Nuggets, 123-107, to take 1-0 series lead. So many things to like about tonight from Golden State: Poole’s star-like performance, Thompson’s efficiency, Draymond’s defense on Jokic, Curry’s apparent health. – 11:12 PM Kendra Andrews @kendra__andrews
Draymond Green held Denver to 5-of-19 shooting as the primary defender, including 3-of-12 by Nikola Jokic. Golden State shot 9-of-14 off his passes.
Yesterday, Michael Malone told me Green’s absence was probably why the Nuggets went 3-1 on the Warriors during the regular season. – 11:10 PM Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Warriors held Nikola Jokic to 25 points on 25 shots in Game 1. Only two free throw attempts. Missed all four of his 3s. Ten rebounds. Six assists. Mostly let Looney and Draymond operate against him individually. Sent some late doubles. Nice overall defensive performance. – 11:07 PM Connor Letourneau @Con_Chron
Excellent game plan from Warriors tonight. Draymond has done a wonderful job making life difficult on Jokic. When Jokic can’t facilitate like he wants, he’s not nearly as effective. The final stat line from him will look solid, but Warriors have to be very pleased. – 11:02 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Nikola Jokic potentially playing 35+ minutes in a 20 point blowout is maybe not keeping the powder as fresh as I might like for the rest of the series. – 10:57 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Love going to Wiggins PnR occasionally with the other shooters on the floor, he can attack downhill at Jokic. – 10:56 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Jordan Poole with 28 points on 12 shots.
Nikola Jokic with 25 points on 23 shots. – 10:48 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
I do trust the Nuggets are a resilient bunch. But they have a lot of work to give Nikola Jokic some help. If not, the Warriors will wipe the Nuggets away with a broom. – 10:47 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
This game again illustrating why I believe, despite possibly being the best offensive player in basketball, it’s so hard to win a championship with Jokic. Putting 2 on the ball 25 feet from the basket just makes it impossible for your D to be good enough. – 10:47 PM Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
Nuggets’ #NBAPlayoffs kicks for Game 1:
• Joker – Nike GT Jump
• Austin Rivers – Adidas Exhibit A x @Eric_Emanuel
• Will Barton in the UA Futr Flow X
• Jeff Green in the Air Jordan 36 pic.twitter.com/6JMi3XjPxi – 10:44 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Iguodala called Poole down for an extended conversation after Jokic threw the pass to the opposite corner. I think what he was saying was, when he’s forced to turn baseline cover the opposite corner because he can’t pass up top. – 10:44 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Jokic fires a dart out of a double team to the opposite end of the court for a wide open clank.
Really just isn’t the year. – 10:44 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Jokic has multiple out-of-his-mind passes tonight that have resulted in missed shots. – 10:43 PM Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
That Jokic pass was preposterous.
(you’ll see it in a sec) – 10:43 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Jokic has 23 of Denver’s 68 points, on 22 shots. No one else has more than 10 points. Very flat opening game. This is not the recipe for a Nuggets victory, but it’s also just one game. The keys for this series were always going to be in the adjustments, and in who could step up. – 10:34 PM Carl Steward @stewardsfolly
Jokic ‘s stamina is amazing but he’s closing in on 30 minutes with the fourth quarter remaining. – 10:33 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nikola Jokic got his first FTs of the game with 2:36 left in the 3rd quarter.
He has only taken three 3-pointers and has seen constant double teams and not a single FT until that point. – 10:30 PM Connor Letourneau @Con_Chron
There’s less than three minutes left in the third quarter, and Jokic just attempted his first free throw of the night. That’s big. He looks visibly frustrated. – 10:29 PM Michael Singer @msinger
These are Nikola Jokic’s first two free throws of the night. – 10:28 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
31% orebs for Golden State. With Jokic pulled away from the basket they don’t have a good rebounding group. – 10:28 PM Carl Steward @stewardsfolly
That Jokic hook. Frigging automatic. – 10:25 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Nuggets 5-21 from 3. If they can’t hit the 3s that Jokic can generate them (and it’s been fewer than usual due to more 1 on 1 coverage) they’re dead in this series. – 10:21 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Jokic’s one real improvement to work on in the offseason is gonna be that 3 point shot that’s abandoned him in the second half of the year. Just gotta find the rhythm on that shot again. – 10:18 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
The one part of Jokic’s game that regressed from the last 2 years is his 3-point shooting. Hasn’t looked comfortable with that shot in this game. – 10:16 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
I realize it’s Looney as the screener, but I think Warriors aren’t going at Jokic enough in the halfcourt out of pick and roll or handoffs. They’re putting 2 on the ball every time, that’s easy to play out of for a team without great 1 on 1 play. – 10:11 PM Carl Steward @stewardsfolly
Make Jokic work on D. That’s essential in having any hope of neutralizing him. – 10:08 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
Aaron Gordon was PLEADING to the referee saying that foul was on him and not Joker.
Jokić now with 3 fouls – 10:07 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
Jokic will give you 30 with every shot looking like he’s placing a jar of cookies back on top of the refrigerator. – 10:07 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Jokic picks up two fouls in 10 seconds. He’s up to 3. #Nuggets starting to get beat on the offensive glass. – 10:07 PM Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Nikola Jokic took 15 shots in the first half — 3rd-most shots he’s ever taken in the first half of a playoff game in his career. Warriors didn’t send many doubles, seems like they’re OK with Jokic trying to get his instead of piercing them apart. He has 14 points and 3 assists. – 10:01 PM Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Joel Embiid: “In the past, I used to get really frustrated by double teams. Nowadays it’s like, ‘Well, that’s what you want to do, I’m going to find other ways to make sure that I make the right plays offensively.” pic.twitter.com/tPRCZPbVTG – 10:00 PM Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Warriors finally go to Curry-Klay-Poole the final 4:23 of half and they finish on 18-6 run. From down one to up 11. Simple formula. It forces Jokic on Draymond. Draymond drags Jokic into a bunch of high screens. Poole, Curry, Klay get open 3s like these. pic.twitter.com/xtlWMFInd2 – 9:51 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nuggets trail GSW 58-47 at the half.
Defensive breakdowns and not staying attached to their guys have led to open 3-pointers. Pools has 17 pts on 6-6 shooting and Thompson has 14 pts.
Jokic has 14 pts/5 rebs for Denver.
If you’re Malone, what’s your message to the team? – 9:51 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nikola Jokic: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, -9 in 17 minutes
Steph Curry: 5 points on 2-8 shooting, +11 in 12 minutes – 9:50 PM Henry Abbott @TrueHoop
No one’s reliably effective guarding Jokic, but Draymond Green has caused trouble. – 9:47 PM Michael Singer @msinger
How many halves are the #Nuggets gonna have where they hold Steph to 5 points? Denver down 11 at the break.
Klay + Poole (six combined 3-pointers) killing them. Offensively, only Joker/Barton have brought it. – 9:46 PM Kyle Kuzma @kylekuzma
Give joker the damn ball and get the hell out of the way 🤣 – 9:45 PM Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers center Joel Embiid: ‘In the past, I used to get frustrated a lot by double-teams.’ Now he figures he can make teams pay with passing or scoring. – 9:37 PM Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Joel Embiid on how becoming a father has changed his game:
“It definitely helped. That’s one of the reasons I’ve been playing at such a high level. I’m happy.” 🥺 – 9:36 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Aaron Gordon now 1-of-7 with 2 points and 2 boards in 14 minutes. When the Dubs have sent double-teams at Joker, #Nuggets haven’t made them pay. – 9:36 PM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
My bad on an earlier tweet. Jokic has one personal foul. – 9:36 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Embiid says he used to get really frustrated by double-teams, and now he’s at a point where “if they double me, I’m going to find ways to make the right play.” – 9:36 PM Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
How long until Draymond delivers a nutshot to Jokic? – 9:34 PM Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Joel Embiid on the process of learning to play with James Harden thus far:
“It was easy. It was natural. We talk a lot, we’re very close – the team as a whole, actually…
I know I trust him to make the right plays.” – 9:34 PM Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers center Joel Embiid on the bench being able to maintain the lead tonight: pic.twitter.com/LvQp7xwKIu – 9:33 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Klay Thompson and Aaron Gordon both given technical fouls. Man, I thought the first guys would be Draymond and Jokic to draw double T’s in this series. – 9:30 PM Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers center Joel Embiid on Tyrese Maxey’s performance in Game 1: pic.twitter.com/hWbI7MyzEo – 9:30 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Warriors seem to be starting to send double teams at Jokic now. – 9:29 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Warriors plan seems to be for Looney, who used to defend a lot on the perimeter, to pressure Jokic anytime he’s dribbling on the perimeter. – 9:29 PM Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers forward Tobias Harris on Joel Embiid and James Harden: ‘There’s always pressure, but in reality it’s just pressure from the outside.’ – 9:27 PM Michael Grange @michaelgrange
“If you beat him to the spot & he runs you over, it’s a foul. I thought he threw 3 or 4 elbows to the face & got called for one, OK? We’re gonna stand in there, but if we’re legal defensively, we got to have calls or we don’t have a chance” — Nurse on guarding Joel Embiid. – 9:20 PM Jeff Stotts @InStreetClothes
Re: Scottie Barnes: Happy to hear there is no fracture considering Embiid came down on the foot. However, the severity of the associated ligament damage remains key to determining recovery. A low-grade sprain would be the best-case scenario. – 9:18 PM Kyle Kuzma @kylekuzma
Bjelica the X factor Either a small or joker guarding him at all times – 9:18 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Nick Nurse wanted more calls against Joel Embiid . Thought there were several plays where they beat Embiid to the spot and they didn’t get calls. He also said he thought Embiid had “three or four elbows to the face” and that only one was called. – 9:16 PM Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
Nurse on Embiid’s deep catches and finishes tonight:
“If we’re legal defensively, we’ve got to get a call or we’re not gonna have a chance.”
Calls out some elbows to the face, too. – 9:15 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Malone ends the first quarter with an extended chat with Scott Foster. #Nuggets up 27-26. Joker with 8, Klay with 9. Steph scoreless (and shotless) in 6 minutes. – 9:13 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
So far this is what I expected: Jokic having to play defense all over the court as GSW pulls him out, while GSW doesn’t really have an answer early for what Jokic does. I expect a change in coverage for Jokic as the game goes on – doubles are coming. Gotta get him some rest tho. – 9:13 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Denver is doing a great job of limiting Steph — Rivers deserves the lion share of the credit there — and it has helped the Nuggets to a 1-point lead after the first quarter. Warriors trail 27-26.
Jokic: 8 points, 3 assists, 2 steals – 9:12 PM John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Nuggets fans already in bargaining stage: “If we only give up a 12-2 run in these non-Jokic minutes then maybe … ” – 9:11 PM Mike Richman @mikegrich
The weirdest Jokic myth is that he isn’t comfortable guarding away from the rim. The dude has been trapping and chasing on pick and rolls for like three full seasons. It’s what he does! The Nuggets changed their defensive approach to let him do it because he’s good at it. – 9:11 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
The first quarter isn’t even over yet, and so far the Warriors have defended Nikola Jokic with Draymond Green, Kevon Looney, Nemanja Bjelica, Gary Payton II and Andre Iguodala – 9:09 PM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Andre Iguodala enters the game and immediately is on Jokic inside. – 9:07 PM Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Gary Payton II gets all ball on Nikola Jokic in the paint. An 8 inch height advantage and MVP award made no difference there. pic.twitter.com/Dm82dzTF5q – 9:06 PM Monte Poole @MontePooleNBCS
GP2 enters and, as usual, makes immediate impact for Warriors: Blocks Jokic, who happens to be 9 inches taller, and sparks transition – 9:05 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Kerr I assume is trying to get a look at what it’s like with Bjelica guarding his Serbian teammate Jokic, but ultimately it doesn’t seem great to start both Looney and Draymond and then have them both out with Jokic out there still. – 9:04 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Gary Payton II defended Nikola Jokic like a Glove there – 9:03 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
With Jokic now guarding Porter, rather than put 2 on the ball initially they switch Jokic onto Curry, then double. GSW moves the ball into a Bjelica drive for a foul. – 9:02 PM Marcus Thompson @ThompsonScribe
Bjelica went at Jokic pretty aggressively – 9:02 PM Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Steph Curry is in and Kevon Looney goes to the bench. Draymond Green is now on Jokic, which is another big change out of that break. – 8:58 PM Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Nikola Jokic is playing well early — 6 pts, 3 ast, and 2 steals. Warriors haven’t hit him with much aggressive defense yet and Kevon Looney playing him straight up. Here he drives and flails out a pass to Aaron Gordon on the perimeter. Draymond Green gets beat and fails to reach. pic.twitter.com/h2Xb34oVn5 – 8:57 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Jokic is 3-4 for 6 points with 3 assists and 2 steals after six minutes.
I’d bet we see the Warriors adjust out of the break. – 8:54 PM Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
76ers’ #NBAPlayoffs kicks for Game 1:
• James in the Adidas Harden Vol 6
• Joel in the Embiid One
• Tyrese Maxey in the Nike GT Cut
• Danny Green in the Puma Fusion Nitro pic.twitter.com/1b6RBg4pFJ – 8:54 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nikola Jokic with six points on 3-4 shooting midway through the 1st quarter vs. 1-on-1 coverage from Kevon Looney. – 8:54 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Nuggets 5-7 from floater range already, powered by Jokic 3-3. Those are great shots for him, unlike a lot of guys. – 8:53 PM Michael Singer @msinger
When do we see Draymond on Joker?
MVP’s already got 6 points, 3 assists in six minutes. Looney hasn’t had much for him defensively. – 8:53 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Warriors are not selling out on stopping Jokic early on. He is getting good one-on-one postups in the first half of the first quarter. – 8:52 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Nuggets are doing a good job of getting Jokic in adventageous situations early on, but it has not resulted in good offensive production early on. Hopefully Denver keeps sticking with the gameplan. It looks to be generating good looks. – 8:50 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Final: 76ers 131, Raptors 111. Tyrese Maxey stole the show with 38 points, while Tobias Harris had 26, James Harden had 22-5-14 and Joel Embiid had 19-15-4. Pascal Siakam had 24 for Toronto, though the focus for the Raptors will be on the health of Scottie Barnes moving forward. – 8:49 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Kevon Looney pulled some Jokic moves on Jokic – 8:49 PM Eric Koreen @ekoreen
76ers 131, Raptors 111. Was all set to be a fine “let’s learn some lessons” game until Joel Embiid stepped on Scottie Barnes’ foot.
Now, we wait. – 8:48 PM CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes helped off floor in Game 1 after 76ers’ Joel Embiid steps on his ankle
https://t.co/Pa43Np0Cbc pic.twitter.com/u3pKtNuT0v – 8:47 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizell
FINAL: Sixers throttle the Raptors 131-111 to take a 1-0 lead in their first-round series. Maxey with a season-high 38 points on 14-of-21 shooting and 5-of-8 from 3. Harris with 26-6-6. Harden with 22 points and 14 assists. Embiid with 19-15-4.
Game 2 is Monday night. – 8:47 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
I will be watching Monte Morris & Will Barton III most intently tonight. Denver needs every drop of offensive production they can get from each.
The Warriors will do what they can to keep Jokic from beating them. A strong perimeter attack from Morris/Barton would help immensely. – 8:44 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
The Raptors are waving the white flag. The Sixers are going to win Game 1 with Embiid scoring the 4th most points on the team. – 8:42 PM Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Just in case anyone forgot about Joel Embiid amid the chaos…
🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/BjXcIjlShx – 8:35 PM Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Scottie Barnes has been tough as nails all season. Think of all big hits he’s taken from the likes of Jokic or Adams or even tonight from Embiid. Never takes a backward step. Seeing him in that much pain tells a scary story. Can only hope it’s not as bad as it looks. Tough kid. – 8:33 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizell
That Joel Embiid block pic.twitter.com/SaMAkuu0wV – 8:32 PM Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Embiid stepped on Barnes foot inadvertently. That’s a lot of weight landing on that young man – 8:26 PM Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Scottie Barnes going straight back to the locker room. Embiid pivoted into the lane and stepped on the foot of Barnes, who was coming to help. Fluke play but that did not look good, and an ankle/foot sprain (hopefully that’s all it is) would be a big setback for the Raptors. – 8:26 PM Eric Smith @Eric__Smith
Barnes gets stepped on by embiid ….foot was sideways on the floor — not a way a foot should bend 😐
Barnes screaming in agony…clutching the left ankle /foot
Now leaving the floor in a ton of pain …helped off by Magloire and Watanabe – 8:26 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Barnes cannot put much of any pressure on that foot as he walks off the court.
Embiid stepped on his foot as Barnes lost control of his body, and the inability to take a step caused Barnes to roll the ankle. – 8:25 PM Mike Ganter @Mike_Ganter
Replays show all 280 pounds of Joel Embiid coming down on the left arch of Scottie Barnes’ foot. He needed help to get back to the locker room. – 8:25 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Scottie Barnes is being helped off the court and to the locker room after a scary collision with Joel Embiid. He was down for a while. – 8:24 PM Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
This night just went from bad to way, way worse for the Raptors. All Embiid’s force landing on Barnes’ foot like that probably isn’t going to be good – 8:23 PM Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
Doc Rivers just yelled at Shake Milton to go to the ball when Joel Embiid is double-teamed like that near the sideline. Embiid had to call timeout. #Sixers – 8:18 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Joel Embiid and James Harden are shooting a combined 10-of-28 and the Sixers are up 112-94. Maxey is 13-of-18, Harris is 9-of-14 and Harden/Embiid are a combined 15-of-17 from the FT line. – 8:18 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Interesting: Embiid is going to start the fourth for the Sixers, who lead 107-88. Chance to put things away here. – 8:14 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Embiid back in. The Sixers will win the non-Embiid minutes in G1. Huge. – 8:14 PM Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
earlier this week i wrote about philly’s rotation and how they can survive the non embiid+harden minutes.
one potential solution: let tyrese maxey cook while both stars rest si.com/.amp/nba/2022/… – 8:12 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Embiid is getting his rest early in the second half. He’ll likely play the overwhelming majority of the fourth quarter. – 8:05 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nuggets Game 1 starters:
Monte Morris
Will Barton
Aaron Gordon
Jeff Green
Nikola Jokic – 8:04 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Nuggets go with their regular starters: Monte, Will, AG, Jeff Green and Joker. – 8:01 PM Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Embiid being out of control and Harden getting blocked might as well be turnovers. Just can’t have those, easy buckets for Toronto on the other end. – 7:50 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
most blocks make a “smack”, “ziiing”, or “splat” sound – Embiid made that shit sound like “kerplunk” – 7:49 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
If you’re Danny Green there, you gotta not reach and just trust Embiid to be on Barnes’ pivot. Would’ve been a sike into the ground if not for the reach-in foul. – 7:47 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
The Raptors were out-rebounded 8-2 on the offensive glass, they were out-shot 48-38, they didn’t force a single turnover, they put Embiid on the line 9 times and lost his first-half rest minutes. Not a formula that’s going to win them games in this series. Sixers by 18. – 7:24 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
#sixers up 69-51 at the half. If you wrote a script to beat TOR, that’s it. They:
* Won the offensive rebounding battle 8-2
* Won the turnover battle 4-0.
* Won the non-Embiid minutes.
* Shot 9-19 from 3.
* Harris (16), Embiid (15), Maxey (15) and Harden (10) in double figures. – 7:24 PM Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
A very balanced first half from the @Philadelphia 76ers, leading at the break, 69-51.
Harris: game-high 16 PTS / 4 AST
Embiid: 15 PTS / 9 REB / 2 AST
Maxey: 13 PTS / 3 REB / 3-5 3fg
Harden: 10 PTS / 4 REB / 7 AST – 7:23 PM Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Destroyed them in transition, destroyed them on the glass, won the non-Embiid minutes, committed zero (yes, zero) turnovers.
An excellent half of basketball from your Philadelphia 76ers. No notes. – 7:23 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizell
HALFTIME: Sixers 69, Raptors 51. Harris with 16-3-4. Embiid with 15-9-2. Maxey with 15. Harden with 10-4-7. Sixers are outrebunding the Raptors 25-15 and have a 16-4 edge in fastbreak points. – 7:23 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid is realizing that he’s the biggest and the baddest dude out there. He’s in full attack mode right now. #Sixers – 7:11 PM Alvaro Martin @AlvaroNBAMartin
Joel Embiid en lo que va de partido….. pic.twitter.com/H51byda0ag – 7:09 PM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Michael Malone says Nikola Jokic has faced more double teams this season than he has over last six seasons. – 7:07 PM Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
Fans not happy with Flagrant Foul 1 call on Embiid but rule is ‘unnecessary contact.’ A knee to the face would seem to qualify. – 7:06 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Barnes drives into an Embiid-shaped brick wall. Good news: he’s drawn 3 fouls at the rim over the last 6 minutes. Bad news: he got hit in the face (eye?). Flagrant 1 on Embiid. Scottie’s squinting a bit but will stay in the game to shoot his FTs. – 7:06 PM Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Flagrant 1 on Joel Embiid, probably for swiping down on Scottie Barnes on his layup attempt – 7:06 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
And it is a Flagrant 1 on Embiid, can see that as the right call with the follow through
Hey!!!
They now “ref, you suck!” here, too – 7:06 PM Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Flagrant 1 on Embiid – 7:05 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Flagrant 1 on Embiid. – 7:05 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Looks like Scottie Barnes is OK on the bench. Appeared he got caught in the head by either Joel Embiid’s hand or leg on that play. Referees now reviewing for a flagrant foul. – 7:05 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid with a foul against Scottie Barnes and they’re gonna review it for a flagrant #Sixers – 7:03 PM Doug Smith @SmithRaps
They’re gonna look at the Embiid hit on Barnes for flagrancy – 7:03 PM The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
Joel Embiid is TOO BIG to make this look that easy 😅
pic.twitter.com/z6r8HkBSlQ – 7:03 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Sixers held steady in their first stretch without Embiid. It’s a 9-point game as he checks back in with 6:27 left in the first half. – 7:03 PM Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Raptors lose the first stint of non-Embiid (and non-Siakam) minutes 13-11, which is not according to plan. – 7:01 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
They survived their first stint without Embiid: +2 in a little over 5 minutes (pending Toronto free-throws) – 7:00 PM Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Two fouls for Reed in those minutes, but thought he was put in tough spots on both of them. More importantly, Sixers held the fort in the non-Embiid minutes. Mission accomplished – 7:00 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Embiid is coming back in and Philly went +2 in the 5:33 he sat. That’s huge for them. – 7:00 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid is set to check back in with 6:27 to go in the second with Toronto heading to the foul line and up two points in the minutes the big fella was on the bench. That’s a massive win for the 76ers. – 7:00 PM Mike Lynch @SportInfo247
Did…did we just extend a playoff lead without Embiid? – 7:00 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Here comes Embiid. As of now, the Sixers are +2 without Embiid on the floor. – 6:59 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Paul Reed starts the 2nd quarter for Philly. Raptors don’t just need to win the Embiid rest minutes to have a real shot in this series, they need to win them decisively. – 6:53 PM Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
Here we go, non-Embiid minutes – 6:51 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Philly up 35-27 after 1 over Toronto. 10 points for Tyrese Maxey, and 7 each for Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid for the 76ers, and 7 for Scottie Barnes to lead Toronto. Sixers had 13 3-point attempts in first quarter. Philly averaged just under 32 3PA per game in regular season. – 6:50 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Maxey in the last 2 regular season meetings vs Toronto: 41 points, 15-25 FG, 6-9 3P.
He had 10 points on 4-6 FG, 2-3 3P in that 1st quarter. With the Raptors keyed in on Embiid and Harden, he’s gonna be a problem in this series. – 6:50 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Sixers up 35-27 at the end of 1. Like we all said* coming into the series the Sixers’ ability to dominate the Raptors on the glass (6-2 offensive rebounding edge) would clearly be the difference. Embiid has 7 and 7 for the Sixers, with Maxey adding in 10 on 4-6
*Nobody said that – 6:49 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers lead 35-27 after one. Joel Embiid with 7 points and 7 rebounds. The Sixers have a 15-8 rebounding advantage. Tyrese Maxey with 10 points. Harris with 7 and Harden with 3 on 1-4 shooting. – 6:49 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Sixers 35, Raptors 27 at the end of the first. Maxey with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Embiid with 7-7-2. Two big stats I’m tracking: Sixers have a 15-8 rebounding advantage (including 6-2 on o boards) and a 9-0 advantage in fastbreak points. – 6:49 PM Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Sixers lead 35-27. Raps haven’t done the things they’re trying to do, but Barnes is looking very good. Harden/Embiid pick-and-roll has been a huge problem, not surprisingly. – 6:48 PM Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
A very balanced Q1 from the @Philadelphia 76ers, who lead, 35-27, after the first 12 mins of Game 1.
Maxey: 10 PTS / 4-6 fg / 2 REB
Embiid: 7 PTS / 7 REB / 2 AST
Harris: 7 PTS
Niang: 5 PTS – 6:48 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Accumulating fouls and putting the Sixers on the line was always going to be an issue in a series vs an Embiid and Harden-led team. VanVleet picked up 2 fouls in the opening minute of the game, now Boucher’s got 3 fouls in 4 minutes. – 6:48 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Outside of Jokic, Kerr said he’s most concerned about Denver’s transition offense and their corner 3-point shooting. – 6:47 PM Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Early warmup for Nikola Jokic two hours before the series opener. Black shirts for the Warriors’ crowd in the Chase Center playoff debut. pic.twitter.com/PErhdVokVq – 6:36 PM Mike Ganter @Mike_Ganter
Khem Birch can’t catch a break. He’s headed to the back after taking an elbow flush on the nose from 280-pound Joel Embiid. – 6:34 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Man, Birch can’t catch a break. Looked like he took an Embiid elbow to the face. Trainers were looking at him on the bench but he’s headed to the locker room now. – 6:33 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Sixers-Raptors playoff updates: Embiid, Harden look to avoid Game 1 upset vs. Toronto inquirer.com/sixers/live/si… via @phillyinquirer – 6:31 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Sixers have 5 offensive rebounds in 5 minutes. Embiid’s got 3 of ’em. Remember, Raps had a 31-12 edge on the offensive glass in the last 2 regular season meetings. Early 17-10 lead for Philly. – 6:29 PM Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Sixers handily winning the offensive rebounding battle early — Toronto is struggling to deal with Embiid’s size playing their normal, smaller lineup. Sixers have also been the better transition team.
So you know, just how everyone expected the series to start – 6:28 PM

More on this storyline

Harrison Wind: Draymond Green on Nikola Jokic: “I feel like he’s going to try and come out and give me 40, 15 and 15 next game…He’s pissed off and he’s coming back with vengeance tomorrow.” -via Twitter @HarrisonWind / April 17, 2022 JD Shaw: The NBA will announce its award finalists for the 2021-22 season on Sunday at 6:00pm ET. This includes MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player and Coach of the Year. The announcement will be made on TNT. -via Twitter @JShawNBA / April 15, 2022 Lauren Rosen: Tobias Harris (@Tobias Harris) on @Joel Embiid’s historic season: “The things that he does on the floor, as a big man, the dominance – I believe he’s the MVP... Honestly, I hope he gets both of them. By both I mean MVP of the regular season, and MVP of the championship.” -via Twitter @LaurenMRosen / April 15, 2022