"Maybe his legs didn't feel like he had enough lift to get it there" - Former NBA player outlines a major reason for 10x All-Star's improvement in Game 4 of 76ers-Heat series
Sunday night brought with it the return of vintage James Harden. The Philadelphia 76ers clinched an eight-point win over the Miami Heat, 116-108, to level the series at two apiece in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
James Harden's 31-point performance marked his first 30+ point game in a win with the Philadelphia 76ers this season. He has had only two games where he's scored 30+ points since the trade in February.
After averaging 28.3% from three-point range in the previous eight games in the playoffs, Harden made six of his 10 attempts on Sunday. 16 of his 31 points and four of his six made threes came in the fourth quarter.
James Harden is the first player with
30+ PTS
5+ REB
5+ AST
5+ 3PM
in Sixers playoff history. https://t.co/v12l0NvMaW
Tim Legler, on ESPN's "Get Up," talked about what might have led to Harden's incredible scoring night, stating:
"I think the difference was that the step-back three was going in and the trajectory was better, the lift was better, the separation was better, he was much more decisive getting into that shot."
"I feel like over the last couple of months, certainly here lately, he has gone up and he's looked very tentative when he's releasing the basketball because he's not feeling it, he's not in that kinda rhythm, and maybe his legs didn't feel like he had enough lift to get it there."
Legler added that the three-point shot is crucial for Harden's offensive output, stating:
"That three-point shot has to be a legitimate threat for James Harden to be that effective as a scoring weapon."
With Joel Embiid back in the lineup, things are certainly looking up for Philadelphia if Harden can dish out performances like these every now and then.
Review: The 76ers level the series as we go back to Miami
Despite Jimmy Butler's 40-point effort (which was his second 40+ point game of the playoffs), the 76ers managed to grab a win on the back of perhaps Harden's most impressive game of the entire season.
After a back-and-forth start in the first half, the 76ers took the lead midway through the second quarter and didn't give it back. As pointed out by Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra, the Heat had a lot of good looks, but just didn't sink their shots.
Collectively, the Miami Heat made seven of their 35 three-point attempts, one of their worst shooting nights in the playoffs so far. Their poor shooting, combined with their inability to stop the bleeding in the fourth quarter, led to their downfall on Sunday.
Game 5 will be played on May 10 at the FTX Arena in Miami.