Embiid gets help from Maxey as the Philadelphia 76ers beat Brooklyn Nets in Game 2

NBA PLAYOFFS Embiid gets help from Maxey as the Philadelphia 76ers beat Brooklyn Nets in Game 2

Tosin Abayomi 06:05 - 18.04.2023

Maxey shows up big as the Philadelphia 76ers take a 2-0 lead against the Brooklyn Nets in the series.

The Philadelphia 76ers recorded a 96-84 victory against the Brooklyn Nets in Game 2 of a first-round Eastern Conference match-up on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

The 76ers roster quality ensured they held on late to record a 20-point blowout victory against the Nets in Game 1.

To start Game 2, the Nets were able to match up well with the 76ers, both sides put up 25 points each as the first quarter ended even.

The Nets played solid defense in the second quarter as they put up 24 points to take a five-point lead at the halftime break.

The 76ers came out aggressive in the third quarter stifling the Nets on defense to overturn the deficit and establish a five-point lead.

The Nets were unable to get going to close the game as the 76ers held on to record a 12-point blowout victory.

Joel Embiid struggles from the field

Embiid only took 11 shots and made six of them but was perfect eight from the free throw line.
Embiid only took 11 shots and made six of them but was perfect eight from the free throw line.

Cameroonian professional basketball player Joel Embiid struggled to dominate the Nets in the paint.

The front-runner for the 2022/23 regular season MVP put up impressive numbers but was restricted to taking his usual range of shots by the Nets' constant double teams.

Embiid put up 20 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and three blocks.

In 38 minutes of action, Embiid only took 11 shots and made six of them but was perfect eight from the free throw line.

Speaking after the game, Embiid said, “A lot of people think I just love scoring the basketball. I don’t think it’s true. I enjoy winning. 

“We didn’t play our best basketball but in the second half we just figured out what worked and we kept doing it over and over and over,”

Tyrese Maxey steps up for the Philadelphia 76ers 

Shooting guard Tyrese Maxey stepped up for the 76ers with Embiid's shot selection restricted and James Harden unable to get going from deep.

The third-year player led the game in scoring with 33 points and contributed one block and three rebounds.

In 41 minutes of action, Maxey made 13 of his 23 shots, including six of 13 from three-point range, and was one of three from the free throw line.

Tyrese Maxey stepped up for the 76ers with Embiid's shot selection restricted and James Harden unable to get going from deep.
Tyrese Maxey stepped up for the 76ers with Embiid's shot selection restricted and James Harden unable to get going from deep.

The Nets' strategy for most of the game was to double Embiid in the post by creating blocking lanes for Harden's drive down the middle.

“As bad as we played offensively we were only down five points. We knew if we could get our offense to catch up to our defense, and continue to be stingy on defense, we knew we had a shot.”

Maxey on multiple occasions was afforded wide-open shots from three-point range and he did his best to knock them down during crucial moments in the game.

The Philadelphia 76ers now have a three-day break as they travel to face the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, April 21, 2023.

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