Sixers-Hawks Game 2 takeaways: Joel Embiid makes his MVP case

After a troublesome performance in Game 1, the Philadelphia 76ers bounced back with a 118-102 victory to tie the series. Things will shift to Atlanta for Game 3, where the Sixers will need to execute another smart game-plan to avoid serious distress in the second round.

Game 2 was by no stretch a blowout. A strong start and a strong finish meant Philadelphia imposed its will, but the Hawks had a lead as late as the third quarter. There were multiple strong runs from Atlanta to make it a competitive game. The Hawks are the real deal, and there’s no question Sixer fans should respect them as a legitimate threat — with or without Joel Embiid.

Here’s what we learned from an exciting game.

Sixers-Hawks Game 2 takeaways: Hawks’ offense is legit

The Sixers clamped down on defense and held Atlanta to 102 points in the process. This was a remarkable all-around game on the defensive end — Joel Embiid protected the paint, Ben Simmons was masterful on and off the ball, and Matisse Thybulle did his thing off the pine. Despite that performance, the Sixers’ litany of shooters managed several compelling runs, even with Trae Young out of rhythm. The Hawks’ offense cannot be ignored.

When rolling, Atlanta has a better offense than Philadelphia. The Sixers’ starters have been borderline dominant this series, and the bench finally showed signs of life in the fourth quarter. The Hawks, however, were able to generate a fair amount of good looks despite Philadelphia’s disruptive nature. Young can crack double teams with ease, and Atlanta’s second unit puts Philadelphia’s to shame. In an offensive league, it’s hard not to have some lingering worries as the series moves south.

The Hawks have a great offense. The Sixers have a great defense. We’ll see what wins out.