76ers: Why Doc Rivers Started Small-Ball Against Indiana Pacers

When the Philadelphia 76ers put collectively their harm report on Tuesday night time forward of Wednesday’s recreation towards the Indiana Pacers, the Sixers anticipated having a full lineup because the crew’s gotten more healthy over the previous few video games.

Nevertheless, on the morning of Wednesday’s recreation, the Sixers instantly had so as to add their All-Star huge man Joel Embiid to the report, as he was coping with foot soreness. 

Through the second half of Monday’s matchup towards the New Orleans Pelicans, Embiid was grabbing at his left foot and limping when he obtained up. Whereas he completed out the sport and was in good spirits after the win, it appears the soreness took over the subsequent day.

After going from accessible, to questionable — the Sixers ultimately dominated Embiid out a few hours earlier than tip-off versus Indiana. At that time, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers had an necessary choice to make. He may both begin Embiid’s typical backup, Montrezl Harrell, or decide to go along with a small-ball lineup, which is one thing he hasn’t performed a lot of this season even when Embiid wasn’t wholesome.

On Wednesday, Rivers went the latter route to begin the sport. By bringing Tyrese Maxey again into the beginning lineup after he got here off the bench during the last two video games, the Sixers shifted PJ Tucker to the middle spot whereas having Harrell resume his position off the bench.

After Wednesday’s recreation, Rivers defined his choice to go small in that scenario.

“I simply suppose the way in which [the Pacers] play with their velocity, I believed we may match it,” stated Rivers. “So, that’s why we went that means.”

The Sixers made changes on the fly towards the Pacers. Whereas they began the sport small, they switched it up down the stretch of the matchup. And it wasn’t because of the reality the small-ball lineup wasn’t working. It was extra about Harrell’s dominance each time he took the ground.

“Trezl was simply so good,” Rivers stated. “He was giving us assistance on each ends. I simply thought he was the correct man.”

If not James Harden, Montrezl Harrell was the Sixers’ MVP of the night time for the spark he introduced off Philadelphia’s bench within the absence of their All-Star huge man. In 28 minutes of motion, Harrell scored 19 factors whereas coming down with 5 rebounds and blocking 4 pictures.

However Wednesday’s extra time win over the Pacers wasn’t a one-man present. With seven gamers scoring double digits, and the Sixers taking part in stable crew protection down the stretch, the general crew effort allowed the Sixers to place the Pacers away 129-126. 

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports activities Illustrated channel. You possibly can observe him for reside updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.