Brooklyn Nets: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. 76ers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 13: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates with teammates DeMarre Carroll #9 and Joe Harris #12 after beating the Philadelphia 76ers 111-102 during Game One of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on April 13, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images /

3. Joel Embiid can’t be stopped, but he can be slowed down

Joel Embiid is arguably the best center in the league, averaging 27.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.9 blocks per game during the regular season. Against the Brooklyn Nets, he was even better, posting averages of 30.0 points, 14.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

In this series, Embiid is the best player on the court when healthy. The key words there being ‘when healthy’. The Process was dealing with knee issues towards the end of the regular season and was a very late game-time decision to play in yesterday’s contest.

Within the first 53 seconds, Embiid drew two quick fouls on Brooklyn center Jarrett Allen, the team’s best interior defender and shot blocker. The rest of the game felt different, however. Embiid still dove for loose balls, challenged shots at the rim and shot threes without hesitation, but he also seemed slow to get up or run up the court. With Allen in early foul trouble, Ed Davis stepped up, keeping Embiid to 1-of-8 from the field, according to ESPN’s David McMenamin.

Jojo excels at getting the other team in foul trouble, averaging 10.1 free throws per game. If Embiid decides to sit, the Nets could gain the competitive edge in rebounding and prevent second-chance points, an area they struggled with on Saturday, with Allen and Davis both being respectable big men. If Embiid continues to play at less than 100 percent, the Nets know they can make things difficult for him and keep him from being his normal dominating self.