Subscribe
Follow Us
The Philadelphia 76ers are hoping the home rims are unkind to Toronto Raptors shooting guard Danny Green, who has gone through a mini-slump early in this series.
In two games in these Eastern Conference Semifinals, he is averaging just 5.0 points, shooting 3-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-10 from deep.
“I know Danny Green well enough to know the chance of that continuing is small,” said head coach Brett Brown said after Wednesday’s practice, according to Marc Narducci of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Green isn't the only one to struggle from long-distance. The Raptors shot just 10-of-37 (27%) from deep in Monday’s Game 2 loss. Toronto was the sixth-best 3-point shooting team at 36.6%, while the Sixers were close behind — eighth at 35.9%.
“In Game 2, it was a big emphasis for us to fly out to shooters,” said Tobias Harris, who rebounded a key Green miss late in the fourth quarter and was consequently fouled, sealing the game with two free throws. “Make them take contested looks.”
Even dating back to the Raptors' 108-95 win in Game 1, Toronto shot just 9-of-27, a mere 33.3% from deep.
While key players like Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam have shined throughout the series, limiting Green and other 3-point shooters will be a point of emphasis for the Sixers.
“He is one of the best shooters in the NBA,” Harris said of Green, who shot a career-high 45.5% from deep this season. “We have to continue to be aware of where he is on the floor all game, and closing out is important.”
The Sixers will get two games at home after stealing one on the road and if they continue to disrupt the Raptors' shooting, it will greatly increase their chances to come out on top of this series.
