The Philadelphia 76ers had a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter as they were able to build themselves a 105-93 lead with 3:07 to go. It seemed like they were going to cruise in this one.
However, nothing is easy when a team is going up against the defending champions and LeBron James. The Los Angeles Lakers stormed back and they took a 106-105 lead with 11.2 seconds left on an Anthony Davis layup.
The Sixers then drew up a play and they found Tobias Harris for the game-winner to lift Philadelphia to a 107-106 win.
“It was just a multiple option play,” explained coach Doc Rivers. “I thought Danny Green read it perfect. The first option was to set a pin down with Seth (Curry) for Joel (Embiid). We told him to give it a good look and if it’s not there, throw it to Seth, Tobias slips into a pick-and-roll, they’re switching everything, and whoever is on Tobias, then Tobias will be at the nail. Then we went flat, the spacing was great.”
Danny Green, one of the veterans on the team, started the play and got the ball inbounds to Curry to set the play in motion.
“I was taking the ball out,” Green recounted. “I was trying to get the ball in to see him get to go Joel so we get a quick one, but obviously, they’re not gonna let him get it so I got it to Seth. He got it to Tobias and they let him get to his left hand, he was going to go that way anyway, when he gets to his left hand, he gets a little bump, gets some space, and knocked down the shot.”
Philadelphia then worked it down to the last option which was Harris and he made the big play for the win and avoid the letdown.
“It’s a big moment,” said Harris. “I think that was a big game for us, in general. For me, I just want to win. I know we let them back in it and I was a little frustrated. I wanted to just be calm, be relaxed in that moment, and get my shot off and live with the result. I was able to do that.”
Harris has continued to mature and grow into a closer for the Sixers down the stretch and this was another example of that for him.
“It was a big time shot and couldn’t be any happier for the guy and for us,” Green said with a smile. “He made definitely made our night tonight with that one.”
The Sixers will now hit the road to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=lsE0ywU3zv-1128144-7498&autoplay=on&V=2&format=json
[lawrence-related id=41829,41820,41817]