Sixers vs. Nets notes: Jalen McDaniels the cutter and closer, Tobias Harris’ approach, more
NEW YORK Nine weeks or so ago, Jalen McDaniels made his Sixers debut at Barclays Center.
Hes now back in Brooklyn with the Sixers looking to take a 3-0 lead Thursday night over the Nets in their first-round playoff series. And though McDaniels was officially listed as questionable with a non-COVID illness, he sounded ready to go following the Sixers Thursday morning shootaround.
I feel good, McDaniels said. Im feeling normal. Just had a little stomach pain or whatever I really dont even know but Im fine. Its nothing serious.
On Feb. 11, McDaniels acknowledged he was mostly going with the flow offensively and still had to learn plenty about the Sixers defensive schemes and terminology. In the Sixers Game 2 win Monday night over Brooklyn, head coach Doc Rivers played the 6-foot-9 wing the final 13 minutes and change.
Things have been great since then, McDaniels said. Since I first got here, I made a big transition. Now Im here playing in the playoffs, so its everything I dreamed of. Ive just got to take advantage of this opportunity.
As Tyrese Maxey mentioned Monday, McDaniels instinctive cutting talent and size are good qualities to have when the Nets send aggressive double teams at Joel Embiid. P.J. Tucker and McDaniels each played 22 minutes in Game 2, and the 6-foot-5 Tucker did not appear in the fourth quarter.
We knew Jalen could dive because hes taller bigger target for Joel and then they have to help on Jalen, Maxey said after Game 2. So now weve got three shooters that are spaced out. That was good for us.
According to McDaniels, he wasnt cognizant of how lengthy his final stint ended up being.
I was just out there playing and I didnt even notice Doc didnt take me out, he said. I was just out there hooping. I wasnt even noticing how much time I played none of that. I was just out there lost in the game and having fun, honestly.
Harris perpetually locked in
Tobias Harris has had quite a strong start to the series.
The 30-year-old forward scored 20 points in Game 1 and posted 21 in Game 2. Hes made 17 of his 28 field goals (60.7 percent) and 4 of 6 three-point tries, grabbed seven offensive rebounds, and dished out six assists (with just one turnover).
And as Rivers highlighted Monday night, that production hasnt stemmed from Harris suddenly becoming the Sixers top offensive option.
Hes been great, Rivers said. Just solid. I think we ran one play for him that duck-in to get a penalty free throw for him.
Other than that, hes letting it come to him, hes getting it through our spacing, and hes just playing the right way. And then the other thing hes doing is hes really fighting defensively. That keeps going unnoticed, but his defense in these two games has been unbelievable.
Harris gave a brief answer when asked Thursday morning about appearing especially locked in.
Im always locked in, he said. Lets not get it twisted. Anytime Im on the basketball court, Im always locked in.
Whatever his role may be, Harris has aimed for consistency in his approach.
More opportunities, it does lead to being assertive and being aggressive, he said. Anytime theres opportunities for me to take advantage of, Im always going to do that. Thats always been my approach to the game throughout my whole career.
As far as the team at large is concerned, Harris was pleased with how the Sixers improved their collective body language early in the second half of Game 2.
When the Sixers have dropped dispiriting games in the past, hes commented on the team needing to be better at turning things around mid-game and preventing offensive frustration from seeping into defensive lapses.
What exactly does Harris think has changed for the better on that front?
I dont think theres one thing to pinpoint, but I think for us as a whole group, weve got to expect the best out of our opponent and be ready to combat that with whatever we have, he said. Getting stops defensively. Getting the ball out and moving it offensively, and creating more pace.
Obviously, youre going to have great body language when youre making shots. But when shots arent falling and youre not getting as many shots as you predicted, youve still got to figure out a way to create that type of energy.
