PHILADELPHIA — Struggles for the 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers had a tough time on offense, scoring just 30 points across two fourth quarters, marking 24 minutes of less-than-stellar basketball.
A player stepped up during the crunch time, scoring 12 points in Game 2’s final quarter and 18 points in the last quarter of Game 3.
Both games were within reach, yet the team fell short due to their own struggles on offense. Now, they find themselves facing the daunting task of becoming the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series.
That’s their perspective. According to the 76ers, the Knicks’ defense didn’t dictate their performance; it was largely their own shortcomings.
“We’re not making shots, we’re getting a lot of looks,” rookie VJ Edgecomb mentioned recently. “After watching the film, it’s clear we’re generating good opportunities, but nothing is landing.”
In their last two losses, the numbers were grim: in Game 2, the 76ers managed just 4 of 19 field goals in the final 12 minutes, and in Game 3, they hit 7 out of 20. It’s frustrating when games are so close but slip away.
76ers head coach Nick Nurse called Friday’s loss a crucial moment. Late in the third quarter, they were down by four, but after three consecutive stops on defense, they couldn’t capitalize. Open 3-point attempts from Joel Embiid and Edgecomb went unanswered.
“We definitely have the pieces that got us the last two games,” Nurse said. “I don’t expect perfection, but if we could convert even one shot, it could have changed the tide. We had good offensive flow, but just couldn’t make it count. The effort was there. We just need to convert when it matters.”
One concerning trend is that some key players struggled with their shooting. Paul George went 0-for-8 while Tyrese Maxey recorded 4-for-11 in the last contests. Embiid, who didn’t play in Game 2, only managed 1-for-3 in the fourth quarter during Game 3.
Another potential hurdle is fatigue. The depth of the Knicks seems to be wearing down the 76ers, who lack bench strength. Maxey averages 40.4 minutes, Edgecomb logs 37.7, and George plays 36.7 minutes in the postseason.
“Fatigue is definitely a factor, no denying that. But it’s something every team faces late in the season,” Edgecomb remarked. “If you want to win, you have to push through it. We just need to make those open shots.”
