Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse praised Joel Embiid’s decision-making, the crew’s second-half protection and its means to reply below stress after a 106-100 victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday.
Nurse highlighted Embiid’s willingness to make the precise play slightly than drive his personal shot in Philadelphia’s season opener, which additionally marked LeBron James’ debut with the 76ers and Jaylen Brown’s first sport after arriving from Boston.
“I believed Joel was magnificent tonight and making the precise play,” Nurse mentioned after the sport. “He simply stored making the precise play relying on what was there. And that’s actually all we’re asking to do. Hit the open man and browse the protection.”
Embiid completed with 13 factors, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, whereas Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 28 factors. Brown added 19 factors, eight rebounds and 6 assists because the 76ers rallied from a four-point halftime deficit.
Nurse was notably inspired by the crew’s defensive execution after the break, when Philadelphia restricted New York to 42 factors and outscored the Knicks 52-42 within the second half.
“Second half just about on the whole, we did a great job defensively,” Nurse mentioned. He pointed to the crew’s work getting by way of screens, stopping drives and bettering its defensive rebounding.
The coach additionally credited the 76ers’ perimeter capturing for serving to them draw back. Anfernee Simons made three 3-pointers, whereas Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added two, offering vital scoring help when Philadelphia discovered open appears to be like.
“I believed we have been producing a bunch of wide-open threes and simply no one may throw one in,” Nurse mentioned. “These guys type of broke by way of on that and moved the scoreboard for us.”
Nurse harassed that Philadelphia should proceed taking these photographs when the offense creates them, no matter whether or not they’re falling early in a sport.
The 76ers additionally confirmed improved connectivity on protection, with Nurse praising the crew’s means to cowl for each other. He singled out Maxey’s anticipation and velocity after a well timed steal led to a breakaway layup that prolonged Philadelphia’s result in six late within the sport.
Regardless of the victory, Nurse cautioned in opposition to studying an excessive amount of into one outcome, notably with a roster that includes eight or 9 new gamers.
“Our focus has been actually good,” Nurse mentioned. “The intent and all that stuff that we’ve executed has been actually glorious so far as psychological prep.”
He added that the group had been working to speed up its adjustment to enjoying collectively, however emphasised that the Knicks remained a troublesome opponent.
“It’s one sport. We’re actually comfortable to come back over and get a win,” Nurse mentioned. “They’re a hell of a crew.”
Philadelphia hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.
