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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2. Tobias Harris is a key cog

Despite Tobias Harris’s recent struggles down the stretch, he’s always been important to what the Sixers do.

Even though the Nets’ zone defense suffocated him in Game 1, that only showed the gravity he exhibits on the court. He’s a three-level scorer, making him a threat from virtually anywhere inside Stephen Curry range, which was evident in Game 3, where he scored 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting.

Even when shots aren’t going in, the potential of his shots falling opens up the playbook. Brett Brown and the rest of the Sixers figured this out in Game 2 and continued to do so in Game 3, finding holes for him to attack.

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Ditto for Redick; the two of them found ways to get open tonight, exhibiting just how high this Sixers offense can fly when shots are falling. They combined for 11 threes on 15 attempts, and a total of 55 points.

Harris and Redick’s gravity as shooters is exactly what lets Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid thrive. Only on this night, they were the ones who thrived.