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

BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 18: Ben Simmons #25 and Tobias Harris #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers high five during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets on April 18, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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In Game 3, without Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 131-115. Here’s what you need to know.

Talk about what wasn’t a fool’s errand. Although the Philadelphia 76ers were missing Joel Embiid for Game 3 of their series against the Brooklyn Nets, they’re the last team who can use that as an excuse.

On this night, they bolstered the case that their Game 1 defeat was a mere fluke. Ben Simmons’s 31 point and nine assists led the way for an awesome, collaborative win in Brooklyn.

Basketball is a game of runs, and this game had its fair share of polarizing stretches. From Caris LeVert’s 19-point second quarter to D’Angelo Russell’s tear in the fourth, the Nets had theirs. But in the end, the Sixers found a way to keep them at bay.

Doing so without their best player is impressive in its own right. The Sixers folded throughout the season when their star center sat, outscored by 2.4 points per 100 possessions in just the regular season alone.

Wreaking havoc in the Barclays Center is impressive in its own right; doing so dominantly, without your team MVP, is exponentially more superb. Without further ado, here are three things to digest from Game 3.