CAMDEN, N.J. — It has been a tough first-round series for Philadelphia 76ers big man Paul Reed. Through five games, he’s averaging 1.8 points and 2.4 rebounds and didn’t played in the second half of either Game 4 or Game 5 because his first-half minutes haven’t been great.
Coach Nick Nurse understands this is the playoffs and every possession matters. He has not been afraid to make adjustments such as going to Cam Payne over Buddy Hield after the latter’s slow start or going with Joel Embiid the entire second half of games due to Reed’s struggles.
Despite that, Nurse has good words for Reed. He believes in the young big man. He doesn’t need to have a talk with him or anything.
“No, I mean, listen he’s trying hard, right?” said Nurse on Wednesday. “He’s been really close on some stuff. It just hasn’t bounced his way, but it isn’t for lack of effort or anything. You kinda gotta, again, short memory. He got his hands on a bunch of balls last night that normally he probably grabs and sticks one or two of those back in and all that, but it just doesn’t happen. I’m not worried about his effort level.”
The Sixers will likely continue to turn to Reed. He has been the main backup to Embiid all season, and there is no reason to change in the playoffs unless Nurse sees another option. His energy can be infectious, and he has shown that he can produce when called upon.
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