PHILADELPHIA — In order for the Philadelphia 76ers to have a chance in these playoffs, they will need their bench to come in and produce when the time calls for it.
Matisse Thybulle had a tough start to this second-round series with the Miami Heat as he really didn’t look like himself. He was extremely hesitant on the offensive end, he wasn’t cutting to the basket, and he didn’t have the same impact he normally has on the defensive end of the floor.
However, in Friday’s 99-79 Game 3 win at home, Thybulle finally began looking like himself again. He was harassing Heat guard Tyler Herro all night as he helped hold the 6th Man of the Year to just 5-for-15 shooting.
“He was good,” said coach Doc Rivers. “That was the Matisse we need. Tonight (Friday), the first stint, you could see–the second stint in that second quarter, I thought he found his legs. Really important for us.”
For Philadelphia, they need Thybulle to be this irritant pest. He had a block on a Herro drive in Friday’s win and he was constantly getting his hands in the passing lanes and getting deflections. He also scored four points off cuts to the basket so that was a big help as well.
“That’s what Matisse needs to do,” added James Harden. “He’s great and we need him. We know how valuable Tyler Herro is to them. Especially, coming off that bench. He’s a very elite scorer so we need Matisse to come in and be in his pocket, chase him around the floor, contest all his shots, and make it difficult for him. He did a great job of that.”
As this series moves forward, the Sixers now have a chance. What was once a gloomy time in Philadelphia, they now have an opportunity to earn a 2-2 split before they head back to South Beach. Game 4 on Sunday will be critical for Thybulle and the rest of the team.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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