Sixers-Hawks storyline to watch: How does the second unit shake out?
Doc Rivers had no problem going deep into his bench against the Wizards. He may not have the same confidence, nor the freedom to exercise it, against the Hawks. Atlanta is a deep and disciplined team. The Sixers do not have the better bench, and Doc’s rotation choices will prove far more important in this series than they were in round one.
Tyrese Maxey has earned his spot in the rotation. By Game 5 against Washington, he was acting the part of closer. He’s too dynamic offensively and too improved defensively to keep off the floor. Does that mean Doc’s hardheadedness with respect to Shake Milton is finally at its end, or does the third-year guard get yet another chance to break his slump? Does Furkan Korkmaz still get his reps in round two?
What about Dwight Howard? He was mostly bad in the Wizards series, and the Hawks will make life no easier. Atlanta will match Clint Capela to Joel Embiid (assuming Embiid does in fact play), which means Howard’s minutes would naturally aline with John Collins, Danilo Gallinari, or if extremely lucky, Onyeka Okongwu.
Regardless, there’s no good matchup for Howard in this series. His slow-footedness and proclivity for fouls may get the better of him. If so, the Sixers may need to consider going small. If Embiid doesn’t play, then small-ball is virtually a given. How committed the Sixers are to small-ball (i.e., does Mike Scott play) is another question to ponder.
This series will give us a good sense of just how well Doc can handle his rotation.