As the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers met in their first head-to-head matchup since James Harden went to Philly in exchange for Ben Simmons, Harden had his first true test.
With a new rivalry brewing in the Eastern Conference, tensions are mounting between the two teams, and last night’s game could potentially have been a preview for what many fans now hope turns into a best-of-seven playoff series when playoff time rolls around.
However, Harden did not perform up to his expectations, failing his first true test in a 76ers uniform at a crucial point in the year, with so little margin for error.
James Harden tonight:
11 PTS
3-17 FG
5 AST
4 TOV
-30 +/-Played like it was a playoff game. pic.twitter.com/4h3JT3F1w3
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 11, 2022
A Sub-Par Performance
It’s rare for Harden to have such a bad performance, but to have it at this point in the season, and against his old team, could not make the timing any worse.
This is a bad omen for Harden and the Sixers, especially if these two teams match up in the postseason.
The Nets now look like a team with a chip on their shoulder, and they appear to be embracing the role of the underdog as the postseason draws nearer.
Harden needed a big game against his old team, and he came up just a bit short.
To score just 11 points, go 3 for 17 from the field, and turn the ball over four times is embarrassing if you’re Harden, and the Sixers have to hope for a better performance next time around.
Losing by 29 points is bad enough, but when one of your best players has a game like Harden did, it can really be deflating.
Fortunately for the Sixers, they’re second in the Eastern Conference, and look to be a dangerous team as we got closer to the playoffs.
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