On May 5, Beijing time, the 2021-22 NBA playoffs continued, with the Heat sitting at home to meet the 76ers. In this campaign, Embiid is still absent due to injury, and Harden once again single-handedly leads the team. In the end, the Heat beat the 76ers 119-103 to give them a 2-0 lead. For the 76ers, the situation in this series is already very grim, equivalent to being pushed to the edge of the cliff, if you lose one more game, then you will be won by the Heat!
According to statistics, the 76ers have never been turned over in the history of the playoffs 0-2, and in the 7-game 4-win series, the 76ers have a 0-2 record of 0-13 losses. Not only that, but there is also a statistic that is more concerning about 76 people. Because the Heat's playoff team has never been reversed by an opponent when it has led 2-0 in its history, the series record is 16 wins and 0 losses, and the probability of promotion is as high as 100%. One thing to say, just look at the data of both sides will have to pinch a sweat for the 76ers, coupled with embiid's injury recovery progress is not ideal, 76ers this time is really too difficult!
In the 76ers' series with the Heat, Embiid was absent from G1 and G2. Now, with the 76ers trailing 2-0, Embiid could make an emergency comeback. After the game, Heat coach Spollstra revealed that Embiid could return in G3. So the Heat need to have a plan in place to deal with this situation (Embiid's comeback). It has to be said that Spoelstra is indeed very cautious. However, if Embiid's injury still does not improve, then the 76ers will certainly not force Embiid to return at G3!
Truth be told, even if Embiid G3 returns, the 76ers are not in a very optimistic situation. After all, one thing is now certain that Embiid is definitely not 100% cured. If Embiid G3 returns, it will also be an injury, and whether Embiid can have a fierce confrontation at that time is still unknown. However, the 76ers have now been forced to a desperate situation, and if they lose one more game, they will lose the match point, and from the current situation, Embiid will most likely choose to play with injuries!
Let's talk about Harden, the two series games with the Heat, Harden is really not in good shape. In these two games, Harden scored only 4 points in the second half. Didn't expect that? As the 76ers' most important offensive scoring point, Harden failed to support the team's offense. Embiid's absence due to injury originally made the 76ers very passive, and Harden naturally became the "hope of the whole village.". But unfortunately, Harden failed to prove himself in this series, feeling that Harden had wasted another season.
In the playoffs this season, Harden averaged 11.6 points and 5 assists at halftime, shooting 42% from the field and 37% from three-point range. However, the average in the second half fell to 7.1 points and 4.4 assists per game, shooting 37% from the field and 32% from three-point range. If Harden can't adjust his mindset as soon as possible, the 76ers could really stop at the Eastern Conference semifinals!