PHILADELPHIA — The Sixers are readying themselves for Game 2, though the status of Joel Embiid looms heavily on the team’s chances in this series. Embiid, who suffered a tear in his meniscus during the team’s first-round series against the Wizards, made it through 38 minutes of action during Sunday’s 128-124 loss.
Coach Doc Rivers told FortyEightMinutes and other media that Philadelphia that Embiid responded well on Monday but the team is still managing the big man and will continue to do so throughout the series.
“We’re not out of the woods,” Rivers said of Embiid’s status going forward.
Following the game on Sunday, Embiid indicated that he’s playing through pain, telling FortyEightMinutes and other reporters that managing his knee will be key.
“All I got to do is keep managing it, do my best, get as much treatment as I can, try to manage it so it doesn’t swell up too much,” Embiid said. “The pain is going to be there, that’s normal, it’s all about managing it and doing whatever it takes to win.”
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- Veteran Danny Green said better communication and a “sense of urgency” in the second half were among the factors that allowed the Sixers to cut down the lead late in the contest. Atlanta had a 20-point lead at half-time only to see the game within the Sixers’ reach over the final few possessions.
- Green admitted that he has to be more aggressive on offense. The wing went 2-for-7 from the field, including 0-for-4 from downtown in Game 1.
- Rivers on what he saw from the all-bench unit on offense in Game 1: “Nothing.” Rivers indicated that he’d like to see more from the reserves going forward.
- Oddsmakers still have the 76ers as the favorites to win the series, but their odds have taken a serious hit, as Oddchecker indicates. When the series opened the Sixers were given -190 odds, or an implied 65.5% chance to advance. After Game 1, those odds have shrunk to -110, or an implied 52.4% chance to advance. Meanwhile, the Hawks have seen their odds improve from +160 to +100, or an implied chance improvement from 38.5% to 50%.
