After a thrilling Game 7 last night to end the Bucks vs Nets series, the Hawks vs 76ers series gets its turn for a thrilling decider.
The 76ers avoided catastrophe with a Game 6 win to force Sunday’s do-or-die game at home. While any road win in the playoffs is impressive, this was hardly of the variety that makes it look certain they are going to follow up with another to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
For the Hawks, they were winning at halftime but just couldn’t make enough winning plays in the second half to close the deal. They have to find a way to keep it loose again in Game 7. Really all of the pressure is still on Philadelphia.
Atlanta Hawks (3-3) vs Philadelphia 76ers (3-3), TNT, 8:00 PM ET
Hawks Can Still Be Loose and Play with Little to Lose
On the surface, top guard Trae Young had another strong game. He led all players with 34 points and 12 assists. He was not very efficient though and seemed to lack that extra little burst. I am starting to think he might be one of those kinds of super confident players that is actually better on the road. I am hoping we find out.
After being such a big part of the Game 5 win reserve guard Lou Williams was a zero in the Game 6 loss. Literally, he did not score a point. That doesn’t mean he can’t rise to the occasion in Game 7. The veteran has always had a short memory.
Center Clint Capela did a reasonable job of limiting Joel Embiid even though they lost the game. If they are going to pull off the ultimate upset he is going to have to do so again. Someone other than Young has to step up.
The Hawks are significant dogs in Game 7 despite how close many of these games have been. It is still hard to tell if that is a buying opportunity or bait. Elimination games can be weird.
Philly Is Not out of the Woods Just Yet
Philadelphia needs one more good performance to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years.
The win over the Hawks in Game 6 was solid, but it was hardly of the vintage variety. The best thing about it was that we saw the return of Tobias Harris as a scoring threat. He, Joel Embiid, and Seth Curry all scored more than 20 points.
Ben Simmons still seems to be more of a liability than a benefit and he actually played fewer minutes than rookie Tyrese Maxey. He was outscored 16 to 6 by Maxey as well, and worst of all for 76ers fans Simmons was a -7 while Maxie was a +16 for the game. Coach Doc Rivers has some difficult choices to make, and the media is swirling on this one big time. How can they not?
For Philly to avoid that controversy for at least another day the formula is simple. Find a way for Embiid to have a great game and make Young work to get his points. If they achieve those two things, which are both reasonable, then odds are they win and advance.
The 76ers are flawed, and they can’t even rely on an early knockout punch as that has failed them before in this series. It is tough to get excited about them at the current number.
Atlanta Hawks vs Philadelphia 76ers Game 7 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
