Three Normal Playoff Things: Sixers vs. Hawks Game Six
Three Normal Playoff Things: Sixers vs. Hawks Game Six
Three normal things.
Adam Aaronson, whose legal name is Sixers Adam (@SixersAdam on Twitter), covers the Sixers for The Rights To Ricky Sanchez. He has been legally banned from covering the team in person, and when that ban was set to be lifted, Covid-19 struck. He believes cantaloupe is the best food in existence, and is brought to you by the Official Realtor of The Process, Adam Ksebe.
Things looked murky, and everyone was nervous, but the Sixers have extended this series to a seventh game in South Philadelphia. In tonight’s Three Normal Things, let’s evaluate what saved them.
#1: Tyrese Maxey pulls an all-timer
When Ben Simmons got in foul trouble early in the first quarter, Doc Rivers made a surprising move by inserting rookie Tyrese Maxey into the game. Maxey brought an energy to the floor that the Sixers desperately needed.
Upon his arrival, Maxey immediately dictated the pace of the game, something Rivers highlighted before the game as something the team has struggled to do. As the Hawks fired off haymaker after haymaker, it was the 20-year old rookie who took charge and kept the Sixers afloat -- likely saving their season.
Late in the game, Maxey lit the Hawks up once again, helping them grow a formidable cushion. He played in real crunch time, further signifying the maturity he has shown.
For Maxey to be entirely composed and prepared in a moment like this is truly remarkable. It’s very rare to see a rookie contribute to high-level basketball in any way, let alone in massive fashion as Maxey did tonight.
#2: What is left to say about Seth Curry?
I really don’t know what else I can write about Seth Curry’s brilliance in the playoffs. I thought he would struggle in a playoff environment, but all he’s done is play the best basketball of his career.
Needless to say, Curry’s shooting makes the Sixers an extremely difficult team to beat, let alone stop. The Sixers have Maxey to thank for keeping them afloat in the early portion of the game, and Curry for giving them such a massive lift in the third quarter.
#3: Looking toward Game 7
To me there is one pressing question as we prepare for Game 7: Will Rivers finally shorten his rotation? If so, who gets cut and who survives
If I were Doc, I’d be moving Shake Milton and Dwight Howard out of the rotation. I’d give more minutes to Maxey to replace Milton, and I’d move Ben Simmons to the backup center spot when he is on the floor without Joel Embiid -- allowing for more minutes for Matisse Thybulle and Furkan Korkmaz.
Doc has been stubborn with his liberal use of the bench all season, but in a Game 7, there is never a better time to play your very best players for the duration of the game. The ball’s in your court, Doc.