Sixers: What to watch for vs. Heat in second round

What to watch in Sixers-Heat: Doc’s simple choices

It was far from perfect, but Doc Rivers coached a solid first round. The Sixers came into the series prepared and leaped out to a 3-0 lead, and after Toronto punched back, Doc’s adjustments played a key role in the Sixers’ commanding close-out win in Game 6. Now he can’t shoot himself in the foot with Miami.

Before the playoffs started, Rivers said he would play Paul Reed against “small” centers and DeAndre Jordan against “big” centers. Now, the Heat will play a “small” center in Bam Adebayo for 40+ minutes a night. The backup, however, is Dewayne Dedmon. He only played five minutes across Miami’s last two games in the Atlanta series, but with Embiid on deck (and Doc’s looming threat to throw DJ out there against bigger fives) we might see Dedmon more in the 10-15 minutes range in this series.

Doc Rivers cannot take the bait. Paul Reed played well in the first round and proved beyond doubt that he is Philadelphia’s best bet behind Embiid, regardless of matchup. The Heat are quick and fast. Jordan cannot hang in this series, whether it’s Dedmon out there or Adebayo. Miami has to be another Paul Reed series. Doc cannot put Philadelphia at an immediate disadvantage by talking himself into Jordan.

Then there’s the matter of the fifth starter. It’s still Danny Green. It has to be Danny Green. He played an excellent first round and his shooting is key to making Embiid and Harden’s lives easier. Rivers has to keep the leash on Thybulle short too. As great as Thybulle can be defensively, if the offense gets too murky, Rivers has to be willing to pull him quickly. We should know early on if this is a series Thybulle can really play in. He should be useful on the Butlers and Herros of the world, but the Sixers’ offense is of greater concern, and Miami isn’t an elite halfcourt offense.