The Nets utterly embarrassed and dominated the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 on Saturday afternoon. The Nets shut down all of the Sixers’ main weapons besides Jimmy Butler. Joel Embiid, a top 5 Center in the NBA, was held to 5-15 shooting from the field. Former 1st overall pick and 2019 All Star Ben Simmons was held to 9 points on 4-9 shooting. The Nets even made the Sixers crowd turn on Simmons, as they booed him after misses at the free throw line. Trade deadline acquisition Tobias Harris was limited to 4 points on 2-7 shooting. Lastly, sharp shooter JJ Redick was held to 5 points (only 1 three) and fouled out. Jimmy Butler (36 points and 9 rebounds) was the Sixers only true source of offense. Butler tried his hardest to Will the Sixers to a victory, but he couldn’t do it himself.

The Nets exposed the Sixers weak defense on Saturday. Even though Boban had a very good offense game (13 points on 5-7 shooting in just 15 minutes), the Nets exposed his limited mobility. Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, and D’Angelo Russell would get Boban in a 1 on 1 matchup and then drive right past him. The Nets guards did the same with Joel Embiid, and they exposed the very weak Sixers pick and roll defense. The heart and soul of the Nets offense runs is pick and roll, and it’s a great sign that the Sixers really struggled stopping it on Saturday. Look for the Nets to run more of it on Monday night, and hopefully Jarrett Allen can become more of a factor if he can stay out of foul trouble. The Nets 3 headed monster (Russell, Dinwiddie, LeVert) all played very well in their first career playoff games, and they did not shy away from the moment. Veterans Ed Davis and Jared Dudley provided huge sparks for the Nets off the bench. The Sixers could not stop Ed on the glass, and he made them pay all afternoon. The Sixers will definitely come out mad on Monday, but the Nets will be ready. Kenny out coached Brett Brown in game 1, and there’s no reason to believe that Kenny won’t have another stellar game plan for game 2. The Nets can truly take control of this series on Monday.

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