76ers Eliminate Nets, Advance to Second Round of NBA Playoffs

It’s safe to say the Philadelphia 76ers have had the Brooklyn Nets’ number this season. The 76ers swept all four regular season contests against the Nets, and have now swept the best of seven 1st round playoff series between the two 4-0.

Philadelphia was without Joel Embid in Game 4 of the series on April 22nd. The NBA’s leading scorer missed the game with a right knee sprain. But the Sixers are not a one dimensional team, and five players scored in double figures, three of whom had double doubles. Tobias Harris scored 25 with 12 rebounds, Paul Reed had 10 points and 15 rebounds, and James Harden scored 17 and had 11 assists.

The 76ers are the first team to advance to the second round, and will play the winner of the Boston-Atlanta series. By sweeping and being the first to advance, Embid will have a little more time for his knee to heal. At this point the date of his return is uncertain, although coach Doc Rivers thought there was maybe a 50% chance Embid would be ready by the start of the next series.