Chapter 787: Chapter 787
Unlike the Cavaliers’ easy advancement, the 76ers had a thrilling victory over the Bucks after a six-game battle.
The most exciting was the King Mountain Battle, where the 76ers defeated the Bucks 120 to 115 on the road.
Embiid contributed a massive double-double with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Antetokounmpo responded with 37 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
Last season, while with the Magic Team, Big Lopez developed his three-point shot. This season, with the Bucks, he’s averaging 6.3 three-point attempts per game with a 36.5% shooting percentage.
Moreover, because of his decent low-post offensive skills, the 76ers had to defend him with Embiid, which emptied the lane, allowing Antetokounmpo to attack the basket at will.
Conversely, the 76ers’ power forward Saric drew Antetokounmpo away from the basket, allowing Embiid to also suppress Big Lopez in their match-up.
The Bucks’ response was to have Bledsoe collapse and help on defense, considering that Simmons had no outside shot.
However, the 76ers exploited this by having Simmons cut frequently to the basket to receive Embiid’s passes for dunks.
Both sides targeted each other’s weaknesses, and in the end, neither could stop the other, mirroring the overall indecisive situation of the series.
In the end, it was Butler who killed the game, scoring 27 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, making the game-winning shot over Antetokounmpo at the last moment.
After completing that winning shot, the 76ers’ whole demeanor changed. Back at their home court, they secured the series’ only blowout win, eliminating the Bucks.
Post Game 6 of the first round, Embiid couldn’t hide his excitement:
"We can beat any opponent, the sky is our limit."
It’s not surprising for Embiid to say such things. Although he was already an All-Star, this was only his second season and his first playoff experience.
The Bucks were not weak; in November, they were even suppressing the Cavaliers, ranking second in The East.
Now, the 76ers eliminated them 4-2, in an upset. They look like a championship-level team.
But to win the championship, they have to defeat every opponent to succeed.
However, like his previous claim about killing a lion at age six, he still doesn’t quite understand journalism.
"We can beat the Cavaliers"
The media headline alone made the world find the speaker arrogant.
In combination with his previous statement, "Hansen should fear me," a persona of an arrogant, self-important rookie emerged.
At this point, Embiid couldn’t explain himself, and the Cavaliers weren’t going to help him explain, which led to the topic gaining traction.
However, the Cavaliers didn’t pay much attention to this series; for them, the upcoming match against the Celtics was more important.
Right after the All-Star break, the Bucks were still third in The East, and Hansen had considered a scenario where the Bucks and Celtics met in the playoffs.
He couldn’t help but recall the infamous foot-stepping scene if Antetokounmpo and Irving met in the playoffs.
If Irving were really stepped on, the Cavaliers’ championship aspirations this season would already be halfway secured.
Unfortunately, that scenario didn’t happen. The Raptors, a regular-season team, couldn’t pose a threat to the Celtics. A direct confrontation became inevitable.
The Cavaliers have the home court advantage; the first two games of the series will be in Cleveland.
G1 at Quicken Loans Arena was packed.
The outside world was focused, and Cleveland fans were also hoping their team would give Embiid, who dared to disrespect, a lesson.
However, once the game started, it was the 76ers who took the initiative.
As in the regular season, the 76ers started with Embiid trying low-post plays inside.
But unlike then, Simmons, after passing the ball, didn’t go behind Embiid but directly cut through the middle into the basket.
This approach not only avoided Hansen attacking from behind Embiid, a blind spot, but also created an offensive threat, preventing Hansen from directly helping on Embiid’s defense.
This tactical change also revealed the source of Embiid’s previous confident remarks.
Facing strong opponents makes one grow quickly.
Moreover, Embiid’s shooting was quite hot tonight; within just 5 minutes after the start, he made 4 out of 5 attempts, scoring 8 points.
His superb touch, combined with his enormous size, made him look like an indefensible giant.
This touch also put tremendous defensive pressure on TT. When Embiid acted to shoot again after receiving the ball in the low post, TT basically reacted immediately.
After turning and making a powerful dunk into the basket, Embiid extended his right hand, holding it to his ear, making a "listening" celebration gesture towards the Cleveland fans. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲·𝗻𝗲𝘁
The scene was filled with boos, but Hansen watched with a smile.
He had performed this move many times before; although Embiid’s version lacked fierceness and even looked a bit funny, it was completely understandable.
Because Allen Iverson, the iconic figure represented by this gesture, is the totem of the 76ers.
After putting away his smile, Hansen’s expression turned serious.
As someone who habitually watches game tapes before matches, he naturally watched the 76ers and Bucks series tape.