Joel Embiid Gave Teammate James Harden Strong Advice Before Game 4
Joel Embiid has a message for struggling teammate James Harden after the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-102 and took a 2-1 lead in the series on Friday.
“I mean, you just talk to him and you keep telling him to keep shooting. Be aggressive. Can’t be too high, can’t be too low. Some nights you’re going to make a lot of other shots. , a lot of tough nights, and some nights you’re not going to make them. So it’s about finding other ways to impact the game,” Embiid was quoted as saying by ESPN.
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Since the 76ers’ stunning victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Harden has struggled in Game 2 and Game 3. on Friday. Obviously, the 5-for-28 shooting in the past two games is not up to Harden’s standards.
Meanwhile, Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon highlighted the strategy against Harden that helped his team regain the lead after the Game 1 loss.
“We’re intentionally making it difficult on him. He came out in Game 1 and won them that game and played very well. We don’t want him to play like that anymore, so we have to be as physical as we can with him.” Force him into tough shots, make him uncomfortable and really learn to compete,” Brogdon was quoted as saying by ESPN.
Entering Game 4 on Sunday, Embiid talked about what it would take to prevent the 76ers from winning their third straight game against a resurgent Celtics.
“I think the players have to show up. I have to do my job. Everyone, everyone knows their role, they have to do their job. The players have to show up. Obviously, you can make any adjustments you want. But if the players don’t perform, they don’t show up and we don’t make the shots, that’s on us, Embiid said.
“I have to get better. We all have to get better. We haven’t been good enough the last two games. There’s no sense of urgency … It’s the little things. We’re guarding them well in the half-court. ” It’s a loose ball situation, offensive rebound, and they knock down a 3 or they score from it and it changes everything,” he said.
In Game 3 on Friday, Embiid had a player-best performance for the 76ers and finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds and three assists.
Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum was the star for the Celtics as he finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the game.
