Let’s look further to see if Atlanta can take advantage of Joel Embiid's absence or if 76ers supporting cast can step in his absence.
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This will be no cakewalk for the Eastern Conference’s top seed. The Philadelphia 76ers clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, they probably assumed that they’d have a relatively easy road through the first two rounds. After all, they’d avoided the two other championship contenders in the East: Brooklyn and Milwaukee. But the curious case of Joel Embiid is going to be a key factor in this series.
Mark your calendar! The Conference Semifinals schedule is here ?
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— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 4, 2021
Well, now Embiid is fighting through an injury, and the Atlanta Hawks have grown into a lethal underdog that has already unseated the New York Knicks.
All eyes are on Joel Embiid as he attempts to play through a small tear in his meniscus. He is listed as questionable, right now, and will go through pre-game warmups before the 76ers decide whether or not he can play. If he can’t, how does Philadelphia respond?
Round 2 prep. #PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/u443ieEupO
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 4, 2021
Philadelphia might be able to beat Atlanta without the best version of Embiid. But Brooklyn and Milwaukee aren’t as forgiving. Philadelphia will have to balance the need to win this series with keeping in mind Embiid’s health.
Trae Young had a strong first-round series. Young will be up against the two best defenders in the first round. Breaking that defence down is going shed spotlight on Atlanta’s supporting cast.
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— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 5, 2021
Size will be an advantage for the Hawks in that scenario, and if Simmons has to function as a center, attacking him has the added benefit of potentially getting the 76ers into trouble.
Atlanta can defend Ben Simmons in pretty much the same way it did Julius Randle. Lack of depth in the 76ers team makes it difficult in Embiid’s absence. If he comes back, 76ers can certainly win this series, but until we know more about his health, the Hawks look to be favourites to win this series.
