Philadelphia 76ers: 3 takeaways from Game 5 advance vs. Nets

PHILADELPHIA, PA - April 23: Joel Embiid #21, Ben Simmons #25, and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during a game against the Brooklyn Nets during Round One Game Five of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 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) /

3 of 4

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2. Owning the paint

Over the course of the regular season, the 76ers were one of the best rebounding teams in the league. They ranked No. 2 in defensive rebounds per game and No. 4 in overall total boards per game as well.

In Game 5, that dominance on the glass continued in a big way. Philly was a +15, grabbing 56 boards to Brooklyn’s 41. In doing so, the Sixers controlled the tempo and limited their opponent to just one shot more often than not, a valuable staple in winning postseason basketball.

Offensively, they were just as good if not better in the restricted area. Thirty-four of their 51 field goal makes came within the paint. They simply toiled with Brooklyn’s big men and got nearly whatever they wanted down there.

The Sixers house arguably the best big man in the game in Joel Embiid. His ability to get clean looks near the rim and overpower opponents creates headaches for the other team and forces them to get the ball out of his hands.

Rebounding the basketball has long been an important part of the game, but it’s Philly’s shot selection that will play a large part in how they finish out this season.

Embiid has shown a tendency to drift out beyond the 3-point line both due to personal preference and as a result of Philly’s offensive system. If the Sixers can station him down low and get him going near the bucket, it will create issues for opposing teams that don’t appear to have an easy solution.