The 2019 NBA Playoffs tips off today and while the OKC Thunder are idle for one more sleep eight teams will take to the court. Here is your playoff primer for the first day of play
The NBA Playoffs tip off today with four games and eight teams in action. Two teams from each conference take to the hardwood. Although the OKC Thunder aren’t in action our beloved team will none-the-less be invested in the outcomes, particularly in the Western Conference.
To help prepare you Saturday’s slate of matches here’s a quick primer on the four games.
Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers:
To say the 76ers are limping into this match would be about the biggest understatement of the season. Four of the five starters all have injuries with only Tobias Harris arriving near 100 percent health.
Most concerning is big man Joel Embiid may not be able to go. Embiid who missed five of the 76ers last seven games is the harbinger for his team’s success. To wit, of the 18 games Embiid missed the 76ers won only eight times. Moreover, despite additions made by General Manager Elton Brand, the bench is still a bit lackluster. Embiid’s presence is essential given he averaged a double-double of 30 points and 14.3 rebounds in four contests against the Nets this season.
Conversely, the Nets squad’s success has centered around their gritty no-quit approach utilizing every asset at their disposal. The Nets will push the pace and get up as many 3-pointers as possible. Brooklyn attempts and makes the fifth most perimeter shots in the NBA. Guard play for the Nets will be key as Russell, LeVert, and Dinwiddie offer a formidable trio of talent to run at the 76ers. Russell is the Nets leading scorer (21.1 points) but any of the trio could get hot and lead that charge.
The key matchups will definitely be the big man battle between Jarrett Allen and Joel Embiid if the latter can play. Upfront, should Simmons suit up he’ll be tasked with slowing whichever of the Nets sharpshooters gets hot.
76ers Key Stat Categories:
Record: 51-31
Offense: 111.5 (8th)
Defense: 108.8 (12th)
Net: plus +2.7 (11th)
Pace: 102.7 (7th)
Nets Key Stat Categories:
Record: 42-40
Offense: 108.9 (19th)
Defense: 109.2 (15th)
Net: negative -0.3 (15th)
Pace: 101.5 (11th)
Game Specifics
The Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tipoff: 2:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN, WWOR-TV (Brooklyn), NBCS Philadelphia
History:
The 76ers own the all-time record over the Nets with 113 wins in 196 matches. The squads split their four meetings this season. The 76ers also own the playoff edge with four games to three edge.
Odds:
Despite all the injuries, the oddsmakers give the 76ers the 5.5 point edge with a predicted over/under of 230.5 points.
76ers Starters:
Point Guard: *Ben Simmons
Shooting Guard: *J.J Redick
Small Forward: *Jimmy Butler
Small/Power Forward: Tobias Harris
Center: *Joel Embiid (Boban Marjanovic)
76ers Bench:
Point Guard: T.J. McConnell, Shake Milton
Shooting Guard: Furkan Korkmaz, Zhaire Smith
Small Forward: James Ennis, Jonathon Simmons, Haywood Highsmith
Power Forward: Mike Scott, *Jonah Bolden
Center: Amir Johnson, Greg Monroe
Injury Notes:
- Joel Embiid is dealing with soreness in his left knee and is listed as doubtful for Game 1.
- Jimmy Butler is suffering from lower-back tightness but listed as probable.
- J.J. Redick is also experiencing back tightness as well as a left quadriceps contusion but like Butler is expected to play.
- Ben Simmons underwent a dental procedure which has thrown his availability to suit up for Game 1 into uncertainty.
- Big man Jonah Bolden is also nursing soreness in his left knee soreness and is questionable to play in Game 1. If neither Embiid or Bolden can play Amir Johnson or Boban Marjanovic will have to step in.
- James Ennis III is suffering from a right quadriceps contusion and his availability for the playoffs is unknown.
Nets Starters
Point Guard: D’Angelo Russell
Shooting Guard: Caris LeVert
Small Forward: Joe Harris
Power Forward: Rodions Kurucs
Center: Jarrett Allen
Nets Bench
Point Guard: Spencer Dinwiddie, Shabazz Napier
Shooting Guard: Dzanan Musa, Theo Pinson
Small Forward: *DeMarre Carroll, Jared Dudley, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Treveon Graham
Power Forward: Alan Williams
Center: Ed Davis
Injury notes
- Joe Harris is expected to play in Game 1 but is suffering from right foot soreness.
- DeMarre Carroll right wrist sprain isn’t expected to keep him out of Game 1.
- Allen Crabbe had arthroscopic right knee surgery which will keep him out of this series.