Our experts make their picks for Raptors-Celtics and Bucks-Heat in Round 2.Our NBA experts predict the Eastern Conference semifinals and tell what is most intriguing about both series. Ben Simmons is one of the most gifted passers in the NBA.
The division rivals meet again Thursday in Atlanta.Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 His work can be found at https://apnews.comMore AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-SportsJacob Blake's father, Jacob Blake Sr., tells Dave McMenamin how grateful he is to see the Bucks, the NBA and rest of the sports world show their support for his son and protest by not playing.Who will advance to the East finals? Hunter has initiated a decent amount of offense through two games, especially early.
"He was our crown jewel in a blatant way," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said. "They got it out of my hands the whole game. When the offense doesn’t run through Simmons or Embiid, Tobias Harris or Josh Richardson is liable to orchestrate pick-and-rolls or spot-up while (Hawks legend) Al Horford keeps the wheels moving with keen passing and reliable 3-point shooting. The Hawks must make a point to pick up the Sixers in transition, but must also retain focus for the duration of Philly’s methodical possessions. Embiid scored 36 points, including the winning free throws with 5.3 seconds left, and the 76ers won their third straight to begin the season with a 105-103 victory over the In a matchup between the last two unbeaten teams in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia made things tough for Embiid made 12 of 19 shots from the field -- including a couple of 3-pointers -- and knocked down all 10 of his free throws. He has improved his ability to read the floor and take care of the ball every season of his career, but he isn’t nearly the passer Nikola Jokić or Marc Gasol is.
"I had two defenders on me," he said. Atlanta earned tough victories in its first two games of the season, but the first real test of the season will come Monday night as the Hawks host the only other unbeaten team in the Eastern Conference. Re: 76ers/Hawks/Bulls Post #19 » by HartfordWhalers » Tue Aug 18, 2020 2:10 pm myrak433 wrote: What I was saying is that (with the bulls current roster) the bulls are a better team with Lavine than they would be with Klay. But despite the restrictions he imposes on Philly’s offense, Simmons remains a highly efficient scorer and the 76ers’ offense hummed at over 112 points per 100 possessions last year. The Hawks must make a point to pick up the Sixers in transition, but must also retain focus for the duration of Philly’s methodical possessions. Collins added 16 points and Young averaged 38.5 points in Atlanta's first two games. The 76ers, who began the night tied with Indiana for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, held their last lead at 21-20 against the Hawks, who are last in the conference. "They were denying me the ball," he said. The Philadelphia 76ers are, are armed with size and physicality at every position, and enter the season as one of the very favorites to make – if not outright win – the NBA Finals. Collins fouled the 76ers big man to deny the basket, but Embiid calmly drained both free throws.The Hawks had one final chance, getting the ball to 42-year-old Young, the first Eastern Conference player of the week this season, had 25 points on 7-of-20 shooting. Embiid ran over eight post-ups per game in 2019, on which averaged 1.05 points per possession – the second-highest mark among players who averaged at least four post-ups per game.
One day after the Sixers fired …
Former Hawk Mike Scott offers floor spacing off the bench and rookie Matisse Thybulle has been a defensive revelation early in his career. The Hawks may send help from Simmons’ man, but he can counter that by cutting and finding space around the rim, where he shoots 69 percent. There’s just no good hiding place for a player like Trae Young on defense, and virtually every Hawk will be physically outmatched on defense. "The 76ers made sure Young didn't get a chance on that final play. He also had 13 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Facilitating is an area of relative weakness for Embiid, who despite posting impressive assist numbers for a center, also turned the ball over on 13.5 percent of his possessions last season. Philadelphia coach Brett Brown called a timeout early in the final period after Young's 3-pointer gave Atlanta a 106-94 lead. Against other supersized teams (like the Knicks), that could present matchup advantages on offense, but the 76ers are quick and versatile enough on defense to mitigate the Hawks’ quickness and pace.
The Hawks will send frequent double teams Embiid’s way in attempt to barricade the rim and obstruct his passing lanes from the block. The Hawks have several players who are likely untouchable in trade talks, including Trae Young, and it would be difficult for the Sixers to pry these players from Atlanta. Alex Len has size and length, but lacks the timing and base strength to combat Embiid down low. "The Hawks tied the game at 103 with 7.4 seconds left when After a timeout, Horford made up for his mistake by lobbing a pass to Embiid breaking loose in the lane. There just aren’t many bigs in the NBA who have the physical strength to match Embiid, let alone the agility or wits to sustain his spins, fakes, and drives.
PHILADELPHIA — The next coach of the Philadelphia 76ers can count on having Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Richardson is the shortest Sixer in the starting lineup, and likely Young’s initial matchup. The 25-year-old has earned second-team All-Defensive honors each of the last two seasons and last season took the rest of his game to a new level. Embiid has become a legitimate offensive hub for Philadelphia, averaging 27.5 points and 3.7 assists last season. Defending the big man will take a collective and continuous effort from everyone involved. He was held to six over the final two quarters by the 76ers.
The division rivals meet again Thursday in Atlanta.Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 His work can be found at https://apnews.comMore AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-SportsJacob Blake's father, Jacob Blake Sr., tells Dave McMenamin how grateful he is to see the Bucks, the NBA and rest of the sports world show their support for his son and protest by not playing.Who will advance to the East finals? Hunter has initiated a decent amount of offense through two games, especially early.
"He was our crown jewel in a blatant way," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said. "They got it out of my hands the whole game. When the offense doesn’t run through Simmons or Embiid, Tobias Harris or Josh Richardson is liable to orchestrate pick-and-rolls or spot-up while (Hawks legend) Al Horford keeps the wheels moving with keen passing and reliable 3-point shooting. The Hawks must make a point to pick up the Sixers in transition, but must also retain focus for the duration of Philly’s methodical possessions. Embiid scored 36 points, including the winning free throws with 5.3 seconds left, and the 76ers won their third straight to begin the season with a 105-103 victory over the In a matchup between the last two unbeaten teams in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia made things tough for Embiid made 12 of 19 shots from the field -- including a couple of 3-pointers -- and knocked down all 10 of his free throws. He has improved his ability to read the floor and take care of the ball every season of his career, but he isn’t nearly the passer Nikola Jokić or Marc Gasol is.
"I had two defenders on me," he said. Atlanta earned tough victories in its first two games of the season, but the first real test of the season will come Monday night as the Hawks host the only other unbeaten team in the Eastern Conference. Re: 76ers/Hawks/Bulls Post #19 » by HartfordWhalers » Tue Aug 18, 2020 2:10 pm myrak433 wrote: What I was saying is that (with the bulls current roster) the bulls are a better team with Lavine than they would be with Klay. But despite the restrictions he imposes on Philly’s offense, Simmons remains a highly efficient scorer and the 76ers’ offense hummed at over 112 points per 100 possessions last year. The Hawks must make a point to pick up the Sixers in transition, but must also retain focus for the duration of Philly’s methodical possessions. Collins added 16 points and Young averaged 38.5 points in Atlanta's first two games. The 76ers, who began the night tied with Indiana for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, held their last lead at 21-20 against the Hawks, who are last in the conference. "They were denying me the ball," he said. The Philadelphia 76ers are, are armed with size and physicality at every position, and enter the season as one of the very favorites to make – if not outright win – the NBA Finals. Collins fouled the 76ers big man to deny the basket, but Embiid calmly drained both free throws.The Hawks had one final chance, getting the ball to 42-year-old Young, the first Eastern Conference player of the week this season, had 25 points on 7-of-20 shooting. Embiid ran over eight post-ups per game in 2019, on which averaged 1.05 points per possession – the second-highest mark among players who averaged at least four post-ups per game.
One day after the Sixers fired …
Former Hawk Mike Scott offers floor spacing off the bench and rookie Matisse Thybulle has been a defensive revelation early in his career. The Hawks may send help from Simmons’ man, but he can counter that by cutting and finding space around the rim, where he shoots 69 percent. There’s just no good hiding place for a player like Trae Young on defense, and virtually every Hawk will be physically outmatched on defense. "The 76ers made sure Young didn't get a chance on that final play. He also had 13 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Facilitating is an area of relative weakness for Embiid, who despite posting impressive assist numbers for a center, also turned the ball over on 13.5 percent of his possessions last season. Philadelphia coach Brett Brown called a timeout early in the final period after Young's 3-pointer gave Atlanta a 106-94 lead. Against other supersized teams (like the Knicks), that could present matchup advantages on offense, but the 76ers are quick and versatile enough on defense to mitigate the Hawks’ quickness and pace.
The Hawks will send frequent double teams Embiid’s way in attempt to barricade the rim and obstruct his passing lanes from the block. The Hawks have several players who are likely untouchable in trade talks, including Trae Young, and it would be difficult for the Sixers to pry these players from Atlanta. Alex Len has size and length, but lacks the timing and base strength to combat Embiid down low. "The Hawks tied the game at 103 with 7.4 seconds left when After a timeout, Horford made up for his mistake by lobbing a pass to Embiid breaking loose in the lane. There just aren’t many bigs in the NBA who have the physical strength to match Embiid, let alone the agility or wits to sustain his spins, fakes, and drives.
PHILADELPHIA — The next coach of the Philadelphia 76ers can count on having Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Richardson is the shortest Sixer in the starting lineup, and likely Young’s initial matchup. The 25-year-old has earned second-team All-Defensive honors each of the last two seasons and last season took the rest of his game to a new level. Embiid has become a legitimate offensive hub for Philadelphia, averaging 27.5 points and 3.7 assists last season. Defending the big man will take a collective and continuous effort from everyone involved. He was held to six over the final two quarters by the 76ers.