Brooklyn Nets vs Philadelphia 76ers Game 5: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

How to Watch

What: Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers

Where: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA

When: Tuesday April 23rd at 8:00 PM EST

How (TV): TNT

Series Standing: 3-1 PHI

Brooklyn Nets (Away)

Head Coach: Kenny Atkinson {All-Time 90-156 | BKN}

Season Record: 42-40, 6th in the East

Projected Starting Five: (G) D’Angelo Russell – (G) Joe Harris – (F) Jared Dudley – (F) Caris LeVert – (C) Jarrett Allen

Top Performers:

• G D’Angelo Russell – 30.3 MPG | 22.3 PPG | 4.0 RPG | .355 3P%
• F Caris LeVert – 28.3 MPG | 21.8 PPG | 5.0 RPG | .478 3P%
• G Spencer Dinwiddie – 27.3 MPG | 17.5 PPG | .409 3P% | .473 FG%

Despite an inspired first showing by the Brooklyn Nets, they find themselves backed into a corner with Game 5 primed to begin.

The Nets have struggled to score the ball at a competitive rate with the Philadelphia 76ers. They’ve toyed with the lineup, but to no avail since Game 1 of this series.

The Nets are a talented team that are able to get themselves into decent positions. Unfortunately for them the Sixers are almost too much to handle on the inside.

Philadelphia 76ers (Home)

Head Coach: Brett Brown {All-Time 178-314 | PHI}

Season Record: 51-31, 3rd in the East

Projected Starting Five: (G) Ben Simmons – (G) JJ Redick – (F) Tobias Harris – (F) Jimmy Butler – (C) Joel Embiid

Top Performers:

• C Joel Embiid – 25.7 MPG | 25.3 PPG | 13.7 RPG | 3.7 BPG
• F Tobias Harris – 37.5 MPG | 29.0 PPG | 9.0 RPG | .500 3P%
• G Ben Simmons – 34.8 MPG | 18.3 PPG | 8.0 RPG | 7.3 APG

Since their unfortunate Game 1 performance against the Nets, the Philadelphia 76ers have been able to take control of this series. Despite health issues to Embiid, the Sixers have been able to manage without him.

Most of that is due to the brilliance of Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons. Their abilities in isolation open up the floor for their shooters, much like Embiid does for them in the post.

They’ll look to be fully healthy when they take on the Nets in hopes of finishing the series in five games.

What’s At Stake?

The Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers have met a number of times over the year. In 196 regular season games, the Sixers lead the Nets 113-83.

These teams have met twice before in the NBA Playoffs, in ’79 and ’94 when the Nets were located in New Jersey. The all-time playoff series is tied, 1-1.

Currently leading the series 3-1, the Philadelphia 76ers look to advance to round two with a win.

The Brooklyn Nets will want a win to stay alive in the playoff race and bring the series back home to Brooklyn.

Losing Ed Davis Hurt the Nets

He was the best big man on the court in Game One, the former North Carolina Tar Heel Ed Davis controlled the paint to lead the Nets to a win in Game One of the NBA Playoffs. Since then, he has struggled due to his health.

Ed Davis has been betrayed by both of his ankles and the Nets haven’t been the same. They lack finishing at the rim and switchability on defence with him on the pine. While they are getting scoring from their wings, the lack of a roll option with Allen on the bench is troubling.

Of course the Nets need others to step up in order to make up for Davis’ absence. Unfortunately, the severity of his injury is likely to keep him out of the lineup for a while.

Harris’ Recovery Is Key to the Sixers Success

Tobias Harris produced an absolute no-show in Game One of their first-round series against the Brookln Nets. Since then, he has been brilliant – a credit to Brett Brown and the Sixers’ coaching staff.

Over his last three matches, Harris has averaged 24.0 points, 51% shooting from the field, and a 62% true shooting rate. Despite Ben Simmons being on the court, Harris’ success has come from operating the pick and roll.

With the Clippers Harris was a talented pick and roll ball handler. With more options, Harris just doesn’t have the opportunity. But with the change in plan to expose the Nets’ bigs, it seems that so long as Harris produces well the Sixers will take the game.

Brooklyn Nets Roster Notes

G-F Allen Crabbe – 4 Apr 2019 – Out (Knee) – Crabbe will have arthroscopic surgery to repair his right knee, ending his regular season and potentially any playoff availability.

C Ed Davis – 19 Apr 2019 – Day To Day (Ankle) – The Nets listed Davis as OUT for Saturday’s (Apr 20) game against the 76ers.

Philadelphia 76ers Roster Notes

The Philadelphia 76ers have no roster injuries to report.

X-Factors: D’Angelo Russell (BKN) vs Ben Simmons (PHI)

Two point guards with very different responsibilities in the game, D’Angelo Russell and Ben Simmons will be integral to the success of their team going into this match. Russell the scorer and Simmons the playmaker, both of them directly affect the team with the ball in their hands.

D’Angelo Russell

Point Guard | 6-5, 198lb (196cm, 89kg) | Ohio State | Exp. 3 Years

21.1 PPG | 7.0 APG | 3.9 RPG | 1.2 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 3.1 TOV | .434 FG% | .369 3P%

D’Angelo Russell has never been famous for shooting the ball well. While he is a talented shooter, the freedom he is given tends to force him into poor shot selection.

In his last match Russell scored 21 points, but shot a disappointing 6-19 from the field in that span of time. He tends to settle for perimeter shots, but he must be more economical despite the likes of Embiid roaming the paint.

Where the Nets have been lacking production from key bench pieces, Russell will be asked to fill in the scoring gaps. He certainly can’t take away from his teammates while he does so though.

Ben Simmons

Point Guard | 6-10, 230lb (208cm, 104kg) | LSU/Australia | Exp. 1 Years

16.9 PPG | 7.7 APG | 8.8 RPG | 1.4 SPG | 0.8 BPG | 3.5 TOV | .563 FG% | .000 3P%

The game has opened up for Ben Simmons in his last few outings. While still one-dimensional offensively, the spacing afforded by an engaged Tobias Harris has helped him.

In his last game, Simmons had an impressive 15 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds on the evening. He hasn’t been able to get to the line due to the Nets’ length, but his ability to find the correct pass has helped the Sixers secure games.

Without the ball in his hands, Simmons has been known to be ineffective. However, with the involvement of Tobias Harris in screen and roll play, Simmons’ value as a role man is reaching new heights. Diverse production from the Australian, is likely to result in a win for the Sixers.

Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers Predictions and Odds

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