CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers once held a 3-0 lead on the Toronto Raptors in this first-round series and appeared poised to cruise into the second round.
However, the Sixers have dropped two straight. Joel Embiid is dealing with a torn ligament in his thumb, and James Harden does not look like the Houston version of himself.
As the series shifts back to Canada for Game 6 on Thursday, the Sixers are facing possible infamy. No team in NBA history has ever blown a 3-0 series lead and lost the series. Only three teams have ever forced a Game 7. That is what the Raptors and the Sixers are dealing with.
“You got to have the appropriate fear regardless of where you’re playing or how far you’re up,” said Danny Green. “It’s human nature when you go up big. You kind of get relaxed and comfortable. In no way shape or form, in any situation, you can be comfortable or relaxed. So we got to come in a lot more focus for 48 minutes.”
The Raptors have controlled the tempo in both Games 4 and 5. Now, the Sixers must retake control. Philadelphia has done it in this series. That’s why they built the 3-0 lead.
“We got to be sharp offensively, defensively” Green added. “We can’t just expect things to just happen and be given to us. Especially going into their building. They’re going to want to take this one. We want to get done which we’re capable of doing. We know that we’re capable. We got to play better.”
At the end of the day, the Sixers have find the formula that succeeded in the first three games. If they are unable to, they will go down as the one team to blow the 3-0 lead and lose.
“We have the pieces,” Green finished. “We’ve done it three times already. We want to get this one. We had four opportunities to get one, but now it’s Thursday coming soon in Toronto in they’re building. We have no choice now. You either nut up or fold.”
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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