It’s Memorial Day 2019. The LeBron James-led Philadelphia 76ers open the NBA Championship Finals against the Golden State Warriors at the Wells Fargo Center For Philly fans, this is the fantasy finals match up for the ages.
With LeBron James at the helm, the Philadelphia 76ers‘ (hypothetical) 2018-19 season ended with a trip to the Finals. Now we’ll see if they can stack up against the Golden State Warriors’ juggernaut.
THE FIRST HALF
Philly jumps all over Golden State early as they hit their first six shots on route to a 34-21 first quarter lead. Joel Embiid led the way with 12 first quarter points, while drawing two quick fouls on Warrior starting center JaVale McGee.
The second quarter is more of the same as the Sixers just keep pouring it on. J.J. Redick hits four three-pointers and LeBron James scored 10 points in the quarter as Philadelphia outscored the Warriors 38-32 to take a 72-53 lead at the half.
More from Sixers News
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Breaking Down Bombshell Report on Sixers Star James Harden
Philadelphia shot a blistering 65 percent for the half and had 20 assists, with both James and Simmons leading the way with seven each. Golden State was led by Kevin Durant with 22 points on 7-10 shooting and Steph Curry with 16. Curry, however, only shot 5-18 in the half.
THE SECOND HALF
The Warriors start the second half going small with Durant covering Embiid, Draymond Green on Dario Saric, and Andre Iguodala on LeBron James. The Warriors hit their first five shots and close Philly’s lead to single digits 98-90 at the end of three quarters.
Draymond Green and Joel Embiid get into a slight skirmish as Embiid takes exception to a potential Draymond groin shot on a drive to the basket. Both Embiid and Green are called for technical fouls. The fans begin chanting “Draymond’s dirty” and Green gets into a court-side screaming match with Kevin Hart.
Philly tried to take advantage of the Warriors smaller lineup by posting Saric and Embiid, which slowed down their offense. The Sixers shot only 38 percent for the quarter, while Golden State heated up, hitting over 50 percent of their shots.
The fourth quarter began with a rested LeBron James taking charge at the point, scoring or assisting on the first eight Philadelphia baskets. Philadelphia began switching everything defensively and their length bothered the Warriors shooting.
With six minutes left, Golden State tried the “hack-a-Ben” strategy in an attempt to get back into the game. Ben Simmons blew up that strategy by shooting 15-20 at the foul line in the fourth quarter. Philadelphia was able to clear their bench in the final two minutes, as they win game one 128-112.
POST-GAME
LeBron James said after the game the reason that he wanted to come to Philadelphia was to play with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. With Philly’s lineup, James is not pressured to always be the focal point on offense. Also, James only averaged 31 minutes per game, which is the lowest amount of minutes he’s played in his career.
James also made reference to Philly’s bench. Markelle Fultz and Robert Covington combined for 26 points off the bench to keep pressure on the Warriors. Philadelphia out-rebounded Golden State 50-43, shot 55 percent for the game and only committed 12 turnovers. Philadelphia leads Golden State in our 2019 Fantasy Series one game to zero.
Next: 2019 fantasy Finals matchup - Sixers vs. Warriors
NEXT: GAME TWO