The Sixer Sense
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3 key factors for 76ers’ success after sweeping Nets

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 20: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers goes to the basket as Nic Claxton #33 of the Brooklyn Nets defends during the second half of Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 20, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The 76ers won 102-97. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 20: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers goes to the basket as Nic Claxton #33 of the Brooklyn Nets defends during the second half of Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 20, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The 76ers won 102-97. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

3. Can James Harden still stress the defense?

It’s important to recognize how impressive and meaningful the Sixers’ sweep of Brooklyn was. Despite subpar performances from Embiid and James Harden on the offensive end, Philadelphia found a pathway to victory four games in a row, be it with a barrage of 3s, the stray Maxey or Harris masterclass, or remarkable collective defense.

And yet, with Embiid hurt and Harden clearly not right, it’s hard to feel great about a looming Celtics series. Harden suffered an Achilles flair-up of some kind in March and hasn’t looked right since. The Brooklyn series was especially tough for the Beard; after an explosive 3-point shooting night in Game 1, he was mostly inefficient and ineffective as a scorer because of his sudden inability to finish at the rim.

It’s not like Harden isn’t creating advantages or getting inside. He created plenty of decent looks for himself throughout the Brooklyn series, but he couldn’t finish. Harden shot 24 percent at the rim in the first round, according to Cleaning the Glass (h/t Ky Carlin of Yahoo). That’s absurdly bad for a player who once feasted on drives to the cup more than any other guard in basketball.

Harden’s lack of touch and elevation is deeply concerning. The Nets’ switching defense and sea of arms made life difficult on Harden, but it will only get more difficult with Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, and the Celtics’ expertly synchronized switch-everything defense on the horizon (assuming the Hawks don’t pull off the most improbable comeback in a while).  If Harden can’t regularly pressure the rim and collapse the defense, that will make it much harder for Philly’s offense to operate at the level it needs to.

The Celtics are an elite team with postseason experience and a recent track record of success — they’re the reigning conference champs. Meanwhile, the Sixers have faltered year after year in the postseason for the entirety of the Embiid era, always for one reason or another. Too often because Embiid’s star point guard doesn’t quite bring the necessary juice. The Sixers will need Harden to figure out his rim troubles next round.