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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2. D’Angelo Russell doesn’t have to do everything

Going up against a team with four stars, it was expected that D’Angelo Russell — the Nets lone All-Star — would have to carry a large load. Even as D-Lo struggled early, going 2-11 in the first half and coughing the ball up multiple times, the Nets built a double-digit lead at many different occasions during the game.

This was thanks in part to how many Nets players contributed, with six different players scoring at least 10 points. Joe Harris’ early 3-point shooting helped the Nets stay close when Russell struggled in the first quarter. Ed Davis and DeMarre Carroll had 12 and 11 points, respectively. Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris Levert came off the bench and the two guards were aggressive, combing for 41 points. The 76ers entire bench scored 26 points in total.

Once Russell calmed down and began playing better, it seemed like the lead was safe even as the fourth quarter arrived. He shot 8-14 in the second half en route to scoring a team-high 26 points with four assists. Brooklyn was lucky to not be trailing despite the stars poor play, and it’s clear he needs to start games off better for them to have a better chance at winning the series.

The 76ers, on the other hand, were not as fortunate. Outside of Jimmy Butler, who had a game-high 36 points, the rest of the 76ers struggled to score from the field. Stars Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and J.J. Redick all scored less than 10 points. Joel Embiid had 22 points, but shot 5-of-15 from the field and needed 18 free throw attempts to get there.