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Philadelphia 76ers: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Nets

By Daniel Lubofsky

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 15: The Philadelphia 76ers react during a game against the Brooklyn Nets during Game Two of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 15: The Philadelphia 76ers react during a game against the Brooklyn Nets during Game Two of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Philadelphia 76ers rebounded from their Game 1 loss to even up their first round series with the Brooklyn Nets at 1-1 following a Game 2 win.

Just one game into their first round matchup with the Brooklyn Nets, the Philadelphia 76ers already found themselves in a must-win situation heading into Game 2. With a 145-123 victory to tie the series up at one game apiece, questions surrounding this team have simmered down — at least for now.

Heading into the half, it looked as though the two teams were headed to a close finish, with Philly only holding a one-point lead. It was in the third quarter where the Sixers blew things open, outscoring Brooklyn by a whopping 51-23 margin to build a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

After just two of their starters scored in double figures in Game 1, the 76ers came out with a much more balanced attack in Game 2. Four of the five starters crossed the 10-point threshold, led by Joel Embiid‘s game-high 23 points on 18 free throw attempts. After scoring 36 points in Game 1, Jimmy Butler managed just seven in Game 2, but chipped in seven assists as well.

It was a performance one would expect from a team desperately looking to avoid going down 2-0.  The 51 points tied a playoff record for the most ever in a single quarter, while the 145 total points were the most in playoff history for the franchise. Philly has had its issues all season in trying to integrate two huge pieces. It’s games like this, though, that remind you why some believe they will make a run to the NBA Finals.

The series now shifts to Brooklyn for Games 3 and 4, one of which Philly will have to win in order to regain home-court advantage. Everything seemed to work out in Game 2 after nothing did in Game 1. In order for the Sixers to steal a game, they’ll have to make sure the former performance is replicated rather than the latter. Bearing that in mind, here are three takeaways from Monday night’s victory.