Doc Rivers assesses Sixers’ transition defense in Game 1 vs. Wizards
Heading into Game 1 of their Round 1 series with the Washington Wizards, the Philadelphia 76ers knew they would have their hands full. While the Wizards are just the No. 8 seed, they are entering this series with a ton of momentum and they offer a lot of problems.
The Wizards play at one of the fastest paces in the league as they love to get out and run led by their star duo of Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal. In the first half of Game 1 on Sunday, the Wizards had 14 fastbreak points which allowed them to take a 62-61 halftime lead.
The Sixers had their struggles with transition defense all season long and they had their issues starting the game, but they were able to adjust and they only allowed four fastbreak points after halftime.
“I didn’t like it at all in the first half, second half, it was great,” said coach Doc Rivers. “First half, I’m gonna say 20 of their points came off of our mess-ups in transition. Guys running back to their own man, guys not loading to the ball. This team, over all the teams, they’re gonna force you to load to the ball, and then get back out to your guy.”
The Sixers will now have to go back and watch the film in order to get ready for Game 2. They were able to figure it all out in the second half as they got themselves in a good place with the adjustments.
“I didn’t think we did a very good job of it,” Rivers finished. “The second half, I thought it was great. So we have a blueprint now to watch and go over.”
As everybody knows, the playoffs are all about adjustments so now Rivers will have to make sure Philadelphia is ready for what the Wizards will throw at them with more attacks from Westbrook and Beal. Washington will come up with a way to better attack Philadelphia’s defense and they will have to be ready.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
