Tobias Harris, Sixers react to game-winning triple in overtime win over Magic
The Philadelphia 76ers needed somebody to step up and make a big shot. They found themselves trailing the pesky Orlando Magic 113-111 in overtime after Orlando’s Cole Anthony started making some tough shots in the extra session and they needed somebody to make a big play.
Normally, the Sixers would turn to James Harden or Joel Embiid. Why wouldn’t a team want to go to two of the game’s great players?
On a Sunday night in Central Florida, it was Tobias Harris who stepped up in a big moment to come through for the Sixers as he knocked down a big corner triple off a pass from Harden and Philadelphia went on to escape the Magic in overtime 116-114.
Harris had 26 points on 10-for-18 shooting and he was 3-for-5 from deep on the night. It was a game where he had to step up with Embiid shooting 9-for-28 and Harden at 5-for-19.
Harris explains the play
The play looked like it was originally for Harden and Embiid to make a play off a screen, but when the Magic cut it off, Harden had to make a decision. With Harris standing in the corner, he was ready to make the play.
“We drew up like an ISO to kind of get James and Jo in the pick-and-roll and it was just the way to defense was shifted at that moment,” said Harris. “James kicked out the pass and I got an open look and was able to get it to fall and see it go through the net.”
That is where having a guy like Harden is great because he attracts so much attention. That allowed Harris to get into position and he took advantage of the opportunity to come through in a big moment.
“It was just a great read a great pass,” Harris added. “It wasn’t how we drew up the play, but it was kind of what came about through just the actions in it. So it was a great offensive possession right there.”
Harris coming through when he's needed
It has not been easy pickings for Harris since the All-Star break. He has not been shooting well and he has had a really tough time getting into any rhythm on the offensive end. He has received a lot of criticism as well so it made Georges Niang feel good when he made the shot.
“I think it’s great,” said Niang. “Tobias is such an unselfish person. The fact that he is getting this success, it’s slowly has come but he’s sacrificed so much for this team to be able to go. He’s sacrificing individual accolades, individual statistics, and if you watch them out there, he’s flying around on defense, doing the little things that we need to be successful.”
Obviously, Harris is a guy who can be looked at as the team’s X-Factor night in and night out. He is one of the highest-paid players on the team and that is something that gets used against him all the time. He has taken a step back since Harden has arrived.
“I’m just so happy that he got the reward of being able to make that 3 and he’s been shooting the ball great, but he’s really the spirit of this team, and he really lifts us up and I’m just so happy for him because I know how much he sacrifices and how much hard work he puts into his game,” Niang added. “He deserves all the accolades and praise that come his way after a performance like this.”
Harris helping the Sixers win a game where they struggled
The Sixers did not play very good basketball on Sunday. There were spurts where they looked pretty good, but there were also spurts where it was clear that they are still going through some adjustments and the Magic took advantage of it when they went up by as many as 17.
With Harris coming through in a big moment, it made him feel good about the position that he’s in with the team.
“It’s a good moment,” he added. “I think overall us getting a victory from a game where we didn’t play our best. but we had spurts in the game that we picked up our intensity and our play. Overall, for me personally, it’s a big shot and I think it’s just a combination just patience with everything and opportunity and looks that I get on the floor and just being able to be settled in what things are now.”
Harris making an adjustment
In seven games after the All-Star break entering Sunday, Harris was averaging just 12.4 points and shooting 40.5% from the floor so for him to be able to overcome all of the struggles was big. Even if it is against the East worst Magic.
Harris: “Those things take time to take time for me to evaluate it and know that. Tonight, I get 18 shots, all really good looks, but just to be efficient in those shots, that’s my job and to bring that intensity in leadership throughout the game on both sides of the floor. So each night and each game is an opportunity to do those things. I’m hard on myself to do them at a high level and I knew things were just going to continue to work in my favor by the work that I put in the energy that I come in with day after day. That’s just how I look at things.”
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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