3 Offensive Sets the 76ers Used to Help Propel Them to 1-0 Lead
- Apr 15, 2018
- 2 min read
76ers Trio Step up in Game 1 Victory
The Philadelphia 76ers entered the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season and had to play game 1 without their leading big man, Joel Embiid. For a team with such high hopes of making a deep playoff run losing a player, like Embiid, who is averaging 22.9 points per game is a big loss. Good teams have the ability to adjust and Head Coach Bret Brown had to find points from other players on the team who would not normally be asked to get as many shots. The 76ers are fortunate to have some players on the team who do a great job of moving without the basketball and using screens to get open. J.J Reddick, Marco Belinelli, and Dario Saric combined for 73 points. Each player was well over their normal scoring average for the season in the win. They also lead the way from outside by making a total of 12 three point shots. The team broke a franchise playoff record by hitting 18 three pointers in the game 1 victory over the Miami Heat.
The 76ers ran many great half court sets to get open shots. I am going to include three of those sets they ran throughout the game. The first is a ball screen into a flare screen. It is a tough action to guard without elite players. The 76ers ran this play for both Reddick and Belinelli to get the ball for an open shot. It turns out that each player would end up attacking the basket because the defense was so worried about the outside shot.
The second play was a counter to the double staggered the 76ers ran much of the night. Reddick was placed in the opposite corner and cut up the three point line coming off of a double staggered screen. Instead of continuing his cut to the ball (Reddick was being used a decoy) he set a down screen on the Dario Saric’s man. Saric was then open for the three from the top of the key.
The final play was a misdirection play that allowed Reddick to get an open three in the weakside corner. After setting a back screen for Amir Johnson, Reddick circled around rim to get a double baseline screen that freed him up for the jump shot.
The ability of the 76ers space out the floor allowed Ben Simmons the opportunity to do two things he does great. One was able to distribute the ball (14 assists) and attack the rim off the dribble for 17 points. When Embiid returns from his injury, expect the 76ers to continue to play well and work their way towards a goal of winning the NBA Finals.
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