Matisse Thybulle won’t be in the Sixers lineup for Game 3 of the playoff series against the Raptors because he’s not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Here’s how the team might cope in his absence:
Without Barnes, Nurse used a nine-man rotation in Game 2 that included Malachi Flynn. The second-year guard was scoreless in 21 minutes.
Whatever personnel the Raptors have, this is a situation where unconventional approaches — long stretches of zone defense; full-court pressure; 48 minutes for Pascal Siakam — would be warranted. Throughout the regular season, Danny Green was tailed by questions about the nagging injuries he experienced this year. , his head coach has no concerns.
“Well, if Danny dunked, he’s 100 percent,” Doc Rivers said. “That’s equivalent to me dunking right now. So that was great. We laugh, because he’ll dunk in a practice every once in a while and the whole team yells, ‘Game shots.’ Like, that’s not a game shot. And now he can get us back. But he’s shooting the ball well, he’s playing well, his defense is back, and we need it.”
Green went 38 minutes Monday, posting 11 points, three assists, two blocks and a steal. Matisse Thybulle played just 10 minutes, a number that will drop to zero Wednesday becauseRivers said before the series the Sixers would “cross Games 3 and 4 when we get to Game 3 and 4,” indicating Thybulle’s part-time status wouldn’t impact the team’s preparation, but Green going 38 good minutes is certainly a nice way to head into the Toronto games.
Thybulle, Georges Niang, Shake Milton and Paul Reed have been the Sixers’ bench rotation players in the series. Filling Thybulle’s minutes through a higher workload for Milton might be viable. Milton, at 6-foot-5 with a 7-foot wingspan, has the tools to be passable in most spots defensively. If Rivers thinks a wing is necessary, perhaps Isaiah Joe or Furkan Korkmaz will see the floor. Both played briefly at the end of the Sixers’ Game 1 blowout.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sixers Fans Hyped Up For Game 2 Against Raptors Despite Philadelphia's Reinstated Mask MandateSixers fans are getting ready for Game 2 of the First Round of the NBA Playoffs, but there is a big change at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia Monday night ARobertsCBS reports
Read more »
Raptors forward Scottie Barnes is doubtful for Game 3 vs. Sixers with a sprained left ankleBarnes had to be helped off the court after Joel Embiid stepped on his foot in Game 1. He was diagnosed with a sprained left ankle.
Read more »
Sixers close out Raptors to take 2-0 lead in first-round playoff series | AnalysisThe Sixers closed out a 112-97 victory against the Raptors to take a 2-0 lead in the series. The series now shifts to Toronto for Games 3 and 4. NBAPlayoffs
Read more »
Sixers Take 2-0 Series Lead in Dominant Win Over RaptorsJoel Embiid and Nick Nurse had a discussion near the end of the Sixers Game 2 victory over the Raptors. Both of them talked about the exchange in postgame pressers:
Read more »
Joel Embiid Scores 31 To Lead Sixers To 2-0 Series Lead On RaptorsJoel Embiid took his lumps and powered his way to 31 points and 11 rebounds, Tyrese Maxey showed he was no one-game postseason wonder and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Toronto Raptors 112-97 on Monday night for a 2-0 lead in the first-round series.
Read more »
Danny Green’s dunk in Game 2 could echo deep into the playoffs for the Sixers'Danny Green’s one-handed fast-break dunk in the closing minutes of a second straight blowout win may not have been the game’s most pivotal play, but it did offer the tidiest summation of the events of Game 2,' writes ByDavidMurphy.
Read more »