Evened up

That was abysmal. A 103-100 gut punch.

I won't waste any time. Let's get to it.

--An 18-point lead squandered. 13 at halftime. 4 with less than two and a half minutes remaining. This loss is unacceptable. I talked about the dangers of not finishing the job in my review of the last game, and this is those worst fears realized. The offense completely failed in the second half (38 points on 32.4% shooting , 25.0% from three), and the Sixers wasted what was actually a terrific defensive effort--the Hawks had to work for everything (36.6% from the field, 30.0% from deep), and it took Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic 50 shot attempts combined to total 47 points. But despite forcing difficult shots, the Hawks made very few mistakes (4 turnovers), and the Sixers just could not generate their own easy scoring chances, especially when you consider...

--Joel Embiid missing 16 of his 20 shot attempts, including all twelve in the second half. The big man did haul in 21 boards and withstood 36-plus minutes, but this was the first time in the series his injury looked to legitimately bother him. Case and point--his final layup attempt at the end of the game that he botched. He even admitted after the game that it was a play he normally would have thrown down, but he didn't feel like the explosion was there in that moment. That is concerning, especially factoring in the two day break prior to this game. The rest of the series is on an every other day schedule, so it might be asking a lot for him to look full strength again at any point.

--Tobias Harris scored 20 points on a solid 8-for-15 shooting. That's all well and good. But the Sixers needed more. With a hobbled Embiid and Ben Simmons seemingly refusing to attempt more than a dozen field goal attempts in any game this postseason (okay, he had one game in which he got up 15 shots, but still), we needed 20-25 shots from Harris. He's been excellent so far during these playoffs by and large, so I won't be too hard on him, and he has showcased an increased level of aggression and attack mode mentality. But curiously, when the Sixers really needed him to step up, he failed to do so. If that happens again this series...well, let's just hope it doesn't.

--So Furkan Korkmaz received the first crack at filling in for Danny Green. On the whole, he did about what was asked of him. He potted 10 points and hit on two of his 5 triples. He was also a game worst -13. I think sticking with him for now is still the best move because I value the spacing he provides, but if something has to give, he is on a very short leash. That being said, any other options were uninspiring in this one. Matisse Thybulle scored 5 points which is actually solid for him, but still, elite as his defense is (All-Defensive Second teamer!), in these playoffs, he's probably best utilized as he has been so far. Shake Milton is still feeling things out despite improved play recently, but it took him 7 shots to get his 8 points. Tyrese Maxey is very much on the fringes of the rotation again (less than 7 minutes for the third consecutive game). George Hill is very steady, but wholly unremarkable.

--The Sixers better win game 5. I am starting to have a very uneasy feeling about this series, and I do not have faith in this team to come back from a 3-2 series deficit.

What's Next?

Game 5 is back in Philly on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.