The Sixers fought hard to keep it close for most of the game, but couldn't get it done on Monday night in their series opener with the Miami Heat, losing 106-92.
Here are some takeaways from the game:
James Harden: The Sixers desperately needed Harden to have a special game on Monday night with Embiid out.
This game is exactly the kind of moment they tried to acquire a second star for — someone to carry the Sixers when Embiid couldn't.
Harden didn't come close to turning in a special game.
Once again, Harden started the game aggressive. And one again, he didn't look good doing it.
Harden took nine shots in the first quarter, including five three pointers, the kind of aggressive shooting most have been waiting to see from him. The issue? He shot just 36% from the floor and went long stretches without attacking the basket. What might be most concerning is that the Heat didn't seem to be too concerned with Harden. They trusted anyone who was on him to be able to guard him, and for the most part, it worked.
Harden finished with just 16 points while shooting 38% from the floor and just 28% from three.
To be clear the loss wasn't completely on Harden. Tyrese Maxey didn't play that well. The Sixers role players struggled shooting the ball. DeAndre Jordan, once again, was unplayable yet continued to play.
But special players are able to carry their team even when those around them aren't playing well. In the regular season, Harden's games where he didn't play well were explained away by him potentially saving it for the playoffs. Against the Toronto Raptors the excuse was the Raptors long, athletic defenders. There was hope that against the Heat, without Embiid, the Sixers would see a new, better version of Harden.
That didn't happen.
Instead, the Sixers once again got a version of Harden that shouldn't make anyone feel confident in him moving forward.
The Heat: Here is some good news for the Sixers — the Heat are very beatable.
If Joel Embiid was fully healthy the Sixers would likely close this series out pretty easily. That much is clear after watching the Sixers stay with the Heat on Monday night without Embiid, who is easily the best player on either team by a wide margin.
The best evidence of that is the Sixers when DeAndre Jordan was on the floor vs. when Paul Reed was. With Jordan on the court the Sixers were outscored considerably, with Jordan at one point posting a -14. With Paul Reed on the court they outscored the Heat. Sure, plus/minus doesn't tell the whole story, but if Embiid was healthy Jordan would't even be playing. The Sixers would be winning the minutes Jordan was in because it would be Embiid, and they would likely still be winning the minutes Reed was in.
In some ways the pressure is on the Heat in the games without Embiid. They aren't going to win many games when Embiid is playing, assuming he is close to the same player he was before he suffered a fractured orbital bone. The Sixers being able to steal a game in Miami would be ideal, but if Embiid is back in Game 3, the Sixers still have a chance to win this series even if they are down 2-0.
Tobias Harris: Harris stepped up big time for the Sixers on Monday night, carrying them offensively throughout he game o help the team keep it close against a Heat team that couldn't seem to miss, especially early on. Harris has caught a lot of criticism, mostly fair, for not living up to the max contract he was given by the team. In this postseason, and especially on Monday night, he has played some of his best basketball in a Sixers uniform. If the Sixers get this version of Harris once Embiid returns they should be in good shape.
Tyrese Maxey: The Heat don't have any player that has anywhere near the speed needed to stick with Maxey. That was obvious every time Maxey decided to go the basket, something he did more-and-more as the game went on. Maxey's speed is going to be an issue for the Heat all series. Maxey had a rough night from deep, but if he shoots anywhere close to what he has most of the season from deep (around 40%), he is going to be difficult for the Heat to guard.
Paul Reed: As stated above, the Sixers are better with Paul Reed on the floor than they are with DeAndre Jordan. It really is that simple. The Heat scored 18 points in the first 4 minutes and 30 seconds that Jordan played as the starter. With Jordan on the bench they scored just 12 points the rest of the first quarter. Rivers is likely going to continue to play Jordan, but at this point, it seems pretty clear the Sixers would be better off with Reed starting and Paul Millsap coming off the bench.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com
