The Philadelphia 76ers kicked off the Eastern Conference playoffs in style on Saturday, topping the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1, 121-101, thanks to a big day from beyond the arc.
The 76ers made a remarkable 21 three-pointers in the victory, setting a franchise record for threes made in a postseason game.
While eight Sixers made at least one three-pointer on Saturday, point guard James Harden led the charge. Harden shot 54 percent from three, knocking down seven triples. He finished one short of the franchise mark set by Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, who drained eight three-pointers in Game 5 of the 2001 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Toronto Raptors.
The Nets picked their poison against the Sixers, choosing to double-team MVP finalist Joel Embiid for most of the game, benefiting Harden and others from outside.
“I mean, he’s the MVP. It’s like, would you rather him scoring 40 or living with us making shots,” Harden told reporters via NBA TV.
Harden said that “either way” was fine with him, adding that he and the Sixers would be ready if Brooklyn changed its strategy in Game 2.
The Sixers’ explosion from three shouldn’t come as a surprise. Philly led the NBA, shooting 38.7 percent from behind the arc during the regular season.
Harden finished second on the team in scoring on Saturday, posting 23 points with 13 assists, four rebounds and a steal. Meanwhile, Embiid notched a team-high 26 points, adding five boards, three assists and two blocks.
Philadelphia-area native Mikal Bridges led the Nets’ effort, scoring 30 points in the loss. Bridges scored 23 first-half points, but the Sixers slowed him down after halftime, holding him to only seven points off two field goal attempts the rest of the way.
The Sixers will look to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series when they host the Nets in Game 2 Monday at 7:30 p.m. EST.
