PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers began the 2023 playoffs when they played host to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1 of the first round on Saturday afternoon. They received big games from the guys who have to produce as Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tobias Harris all scored over 20 points.
However, a big piece of this win was the play of Paul Reed off the bench. The third-year big man out of DePaul delivered 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting and four rebounds in 12:53 off the bench. He was a plus-5 in his minutes and he was a big part of the 121-101 win over the Nets to start this series.
“I cussed Paul Reed out at halftime,” said PJ Tucker who also had a big hand in this win. “I felt like he didn’t have the energy. He wasn’t being there on time and doing a lot of things and he came on in the second half and responded so I told everybody I’ll else curse Paul out every halftime because he got a lot of rebounds. His energy was good. He was in help, he had good switches, finishes. He was just night and day so we need him and I’m always staying on him because we really need him.”
Whatever was said in the halftime locker room, Reed was able to play a big role and the Sixers needed his energy in this one in the second half to put away a pesky Nets team.
“He was great,” added Joel Embiid of Reed. “Him and PJ, extra processions, and then I thought he did a great job screening, rolling, playing out of that dunker, getting easy passes, and finishing. He made a great move behind the back that we probably don’t want to see it again, I’m just kidding. He can do whatever he wants. Whatever works. I guess he got keep doing it, but he was great.”
Speaking of that behind-the-back play Reed made, he explained what happened on a pretty helter-skelter possession.
“My first instinct when I grabbed the ball was to pass it out for a 3, but they jumped the pass so I had to make a move,” Reed said with a smile. “I seen the lane open up. Once I seen the lane open up, I drove the ball, I pump-faked, one dude flew by, and I had a wide-open layup.”
The Sixers will now need Reed to continue to carry this over to the next one as the Sixers prepare for Game 2 with the Nets on Monday.
Related
Player grades: Joel Embiid leads Sixers over pesky Nets in Game 1
Nets’ Seth Curry excited to play in front of Sixers fans in the playoffs
Sixers star Joel Embiid named a finalist to win 2023 MVP award
Stay up to date with your favorite Philly teams at Sixers Wire and The Eagles Wire.
Story originally appeared on Sixers Wire