Given their excellent regular season, the Philadephia 76ers quickly rose as a favorite to win the title this season. They were expected to boot out the Washington Wizards with ease in the first round. However, they failed to complete the sweep, losing 122-114 in Game 4. A quick 4-0 would've been great as it would've given the Sixers several days of rest. And we know how critical rest is in the long playoff haul.
Things didn't pan out for the Sixers after they lost Joel Embiid due to right knee soreness. But this isn't the main reason for their shortcomings. There were lapses in the most fundamental aspects of the game. And we can even say they underestimated the Wizards who in turn, took advantage.
With that said, here are three adjustments the Sixers must make in Game 5 after the Wizards survived the sweep.
Box Out
The Wizards outrebounded the Sixers in Game 4, 57 to 48. This is just the second time in the series where the Wizards won the rebounding battle against the bigger Sixers squad. The first was one was in Game 1 (41 to 40). We've heard countless times from players and coaches how important it is to rebound the ball. Rebounding simply translates to more opportunities to score. And at the end of the day, the team that has the most points wins.
It was not as if the Sixers suddenly became the smallest team in the NBA after Embiid went out. They still have Dwight Howard who could box out and snag those boards. But for some reason, Doc Rivers fielded him for just 14 minutes in Game 4. Props to Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons for crashing the boards as well as they could. But Rivers should've made the proper adjustment knowing how they'll be smacked in the rebounding department after Embiid left the game.
Tighten Transition Defense
The Sixers just had seven fastbreak points but allowed the Wizards to score 21 of them. With Russell Westbrook in the fold for the Wizards, Rivers should constantly remind his boys to set up their defense as quickly as possible. They've done an excellent job at this in the previous games, which means they can replicate it.
Simmons has been boasting he's the best perimeter defender in the league. Given his size and mobility, there's not a single soul who's doubting his claims. But where was his defense in Game 4? Apart from Simmons, the Sixers have excellent and smart defenders in Howard and Danny Green. They all know that defending the fastbreak isn't all about quickness and athleticism. It's more about hard work and having the presence of mind.
Play With Available Pieces
Everyone knows that Joel Embiid is the best player on the floor. And his loss in Game 4 definitely affected the Sixers. Simmons himself admitted they need Embiid to close out games (via ESPN).
“Obviously, we need Joel to win. He's a big part of this team.”
However, this shouldn't be their attitude. Injuries are part of the game. The right attitude would've been to make the right tweaks without Embiid on the floor. Given his defensive and rebounding abilities, other players have to man up no matter how difficult it is to fill this void. Simmons' 13 points may be well within his averages but that's simply unacceptable after they lost Embiid.
Simmons took just five attempts and was a horrendous 5-of-11 from the free throw line. Sure, he has excellent defense, but can he please develop a scoring mentality like all of the greats today and those who came before him?
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