The Sixer Sense
Fansided

5 things Sixers must improve for Game 3

By Christopher Kline

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the national anthem prior to Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat on April 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the national anthem prior to Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat on April 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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5. Rim protection

The Sixers seemed to lack a certain presence around the rim in game two, which is natural for a team that’s missing a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Joel Embiid. It’s even more natural when you swap out Amir Johnson for Ersan Ilyasova in the starting group.

It’s something Brett Brown needs to be concerned about, which might motivate them to return Embiid as soon as possible. Miami’s ability to get dribble penetration and pick the Sixers’ defense apart would have been far more limited with Embiid patrolling the paint.

Ilyasova does give the Sixers a clear advantage at center, something they should still use once Embiid returns to the rotation. His shooting essentially takes Whiteside out of the game, which is why the Heat’s prized big man hasn’t seen more than 15 minutes in either playoff game. That, of course, will change once Embiid is back.

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Those smaller lineups should work well in spurts, especially if Embiid’s minutes are limited in his first game or two back. It’s improtant that the Sixers maintain their defensive identity and establish a reliable threat around the rim, though.