Welcome to Layup Lines, our daily NBA newsletter where we’ll prep you for a tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every afternoon.
What’s happening, folks? It’s your guy Sykes here to usher you into tonight’s playoff action. But before we jump in, a word on Joel Embiid.
The narrative for the 76ers in the postseason for the last 3 seasons has been all about the loneliness of Embiid. The 76ers big man has carried his team to the second round of the postseason in 3 of the last 4 seasons. In each of those years, the 76ers have floundered and the story has been about how Embiid has just needed a running mate to go along with him.
Ben Simmons was supposed to be that but, clearly, that never worked out. Jimmy Butler once was that but he’s on the other side now. Now, James Harden is supposed to be that. But you don’t have to look around too hard to figure out that he’s not.
Here’s the situation: The 76ers are down 0-2 to the Heat heading home and it hasn’t really been close. The Heat have a 119.2 offensive rating against the 76ers so far in this series and a net rating of 16.5. They’ve done this without Kyle Lowry. They’ve also done this without Butler playing his best basketball to date.
Harden is shooting 39% from the floor and 25% from deep in the series. He’s giving the 76ers 18 points and 7 assists, which would be fine if he weren’t James Harden. But he’s James Harden.
And so here we are. The 76ers’ big man has cleared concussion protocol and participated in shootaround with the team, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Haynes. He’s listed as doubtful now and there’s a legitimate chance he could play tonight.
But he really shouldn’t have to. Embiid has a broken face and a torn ligament in his thumb. He’ll have to wrap that thumb, cover his face in a thick, uncomfortable mask that even Batman would probably hate and try to get this thing done. Why? Because his team needs him. They can’t win without him. And if they lose again? It’s over.
So here we are. After the pain of the process, after the failures of Ben Simmons, after the constant posturing from Daryl Morey for another star. There the 76ers big man still stands — all alone.
What a shame.
The Tip-Off
Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
Speaking of the 76ers, did y’all know there was a snake on the court? I had no idea there was a snake on the court.
It wasn’t until today that I’d paid it any mind because my colleague, Charles Curtis, wrote this awesome explainer on it. Apparently, it’s called Phila Unite? I feel like this is something I probably should’ve known. It’s from an old drawing Ben Franklin had of a snake cut into 8 parts.
His snake is cut into eight segments, each representing an American colony (or region, in the case of New England) with the phrase “Join, or Die” written below it. The image accompanied Franklin’s persuasive editorial about the “disunited state,” delivering a message during the French and Indian War that America would be strongest if united. Back then, word was a severed snake could be resurrected if the pieces were reattached before sunset.
The more you know, folks.
One to Watch
(All odds via Tipico.)
Mavericks (-1.5, -112) vs. (-108), O/U 218.5, 9:30 PM ET
The Dallas Mavericks have had to do some real soul searching over the last few days. The Suns were absolutely targeting Luka Doncic down the stretch and Dallas couldn’t do anything about it.
I don’t expect Doncic to have improved so much defensively in the last couple of days. I’m taking the Suns +1.5.
Who’s in and out?
—Joel Embiid (Orbital fracture) is doubtful for Friday’s game against the Heat
— Torrey Craig (Elbow) is also listed as doubtful for Friday’s game against the Mavericks.
— Kyle Lowry (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the 76ers,
Shootaround
— It’s opening night in the WNBA but there will be so much talent that won’t see the court. The league needs to expand ASAP.
— Leonard Miller is the most interesting prospect in this year’s NBA draft but what he does next will matter most. Our Bryan Kalbrosky has more.
—Tilman Fertitta expects big moves for the Rockets by the 2023-24 season, Ben DuBose writes. Good luck with that.
— Al Horford’s renaissance has taken a lot of us by surprise, Chris Quinn writes over at Celtics Wire.
That’s all, folks! Enjoy tonight’s action.
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