The 2022 NBA playoffs kicked off on Saturday, with fourth-placed 76ers facing fifth-placed Toronto Raptors. Sixers made the statement to start the playoffs, dominating the Raptors, 131-111, to lead 1-0 in the series. Tyrese Maxey took over the game in the third quarter, eventually dropping 38 points with an unconscious 81.9% real shot. Although he scored only 19 points, Joel Embiid was a monster on the glass, shooting 13 rebounds. James Harden made 14 assists and added 22 points for a good measure, Tobias Harris had 26 of his own. Here are some conclusions from Game 1.
The first half
- A big topic of conversation in this series was how experienced Toronto was in the offensive rebound, something the Sixers struggled with all year. Philly used his height advantage to turn it around in the first quarter, grabbing six offensive boards in the first quarter. Joel Embiid did a great job of taking three. Their ability to keep their possessions alive was a big reason for them to start a hot start.
- Tyrese Maxey was another good reason for the Sixers. He flew around the floor at both ends of the floor from the jump and had 10 points the first quarter in his first start in the playoffs. The Raptors managed to keep the game close by inflicting very hard blows early.
- Great job in the minutes without Philly’s Embiid when he came back into the game with 10 points. Paul Reed had a shocking moment or two, but he settled in well. James Harden and Tobias Harris did a good job of attacking during this stretch, as Harden finally saw the retreat begin to fall again. Harris led Philly at halftime, scoring 16 points in a 7 out of 11 shot.
- Just a stellar offensive first half for the Sixers. Their ball movement was excellent from the start, wrapping the ball around the perimeter, raising 19 three-pointers at halftime. Incredibly, they had 15 assists and zero turnovers at halftime.
- Embiid was great to finish the first half as he took advantage of the fact that no one on Toronto’s list could physically hang out with him. He reached the line nine times at halftime, putting both Fred VanVleit and Chris Boucher in significant trouble. Both would go bankrupt in the fourth quarter.
The second half
- The third quarter started too familiar for Sixers fans. After increasing his lead to 24, it was reduced to 11 in just a few minutes, and then became a game of Tyrese Maxey. Maxi had 21 of his 38 in the third quarter. It was Sixer’s second-highest playoff quarter, according to Sixers Stats. This rebound from Harden brought Maxey and the audience back into it.
- Maxi was the best possible version of himself this quarter, he drove deadly to the basket and beyond the rainbow. It has been said a million times this season, but the leap he has made as a player and scorer this year is incredible. It hasn’t been too long for Tyris Maxi yet.
- Only one win for the Sixers, which did not give the Raptors another chance to return to the game in the fourth quarter. They could not ask for a better start to the post-season. They can extend the lead in the series to 2-0 on Monday night.
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