Led 2-1 by the Knicks, the Sixers are aiming for the equalizer at home in Game 4 and, to do this, they will not have to hope to rely exclusively on 50 (new) points from Joel Embiid or on an exploit from Tyrese Maxey. In this sense, the contribution of the second knives will be decisive and Buddy Hield will be one of the players to watch.
However, the indestructible rear of Philadelphia has been in trouble for a week, in what constitutes the first playoffs of his career. In three games, he only averaged… 0.7 points, 14% shooting and 0% 3-point shooting!
Far, very far from his usual standards (12.1 points on average, 44% shooting and 39% 3-point shooting over the season), even if his playing time (10 minutes) is not the same either ( 26 minutes).
“ It's obviously difficult for him… » notes his coach on this subject, Nick Nurse. “ Like I said before, I really like him, he loves playing and it's killing him not being able to be on the pitch. But that's the whole discussion, I have to tell him: 'Look, my job is to make the best decisions for the team.' Some nights, during certain series, it doesn't work for certain players. He is not the only one in this case. Me, I needed a spark from someone else and we got it. Now the next match is a new match and you never know how things will go, so you have to be ready. »
Stay prepared and take advantage of every opportunity
Sixers coach Buddy Hield's advice is to stay ready, whatever happens, since he has not yet completely disappeared from the rotation, despite 29 minutes of cumulative playing time in Game 1. , 2 and 3 of this first round against the Knicks.
“ You just have to be ready » insists Nick Nurse. “ If you come off the bench, you have to somehow prepare your hands, feet or mind to [réussir son tir]. It should be understood that the window may be short. »
Buddy Hield's ability to rebound and punish New York with his shot, in short sequences, could be essential for Philadelphia, too dependent until now on the Embiid/Maxey pair.
“ When the opportunity presents itself, you have to light it up » declared the Bahamian on this subject in mid-April. “ I would not say that [les occasions] are limited, but there is Joel [Embiid]Tyrese [Maxey]Tobias [Harris],Kelly [Oubre Jr.]… You have to do the right thing and you have to trust it. That's what gaming gives you sometimes. You must take advantage of every opportunity you have. »
| Buddy Hield | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 * | All Teams | 82 | 23 | 42.6 | 39.1 | 84.2 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 10.6 |
| 2016-17 * | NOP | 57 | 20 | 39.3 | 36.9 | 87.9 | 0.3 | 2.6 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 8.6 |
| 2016-17 * | BAG | 25 | 29 | 48.0 | 42.8 | 81.4 | 0.6 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 15.1 |
| 2017-18 | BAG | 80 | 25 | 44.6 | 43.1 | 87.7 | 0.7 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 13.5 |
| 2018-19 | BAG | 82 | 32 | 45.8 | 42.7 | 88.6 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 20.7 |
| 2019-20 | BAG | 72 | 31 | 42.9 | 39.4 | 84.6 | 0.8 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 19.2 |
| 2020-21 | BAG | 71 | 34 | 40.6 | 39.1 | 84.6 | 0.4 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 3.6 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 16.6 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 81 | 31 | 40.6 | 36.6 | 87.4 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 15.6 |
| 2021-22 * | BAG | 55 | 29 | 38.2 | 36.8 | 87.0 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 14.4 |
| 2021-22 * | IND | 26 | 36 | 44.7 | 36.2 | 88.6 | 0.9 | 4.2 | 5.1 | 4.8 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 18.2 |
| 2022-23 | IND | 80 | 31 | 45.8 | 42.5 | 82.2 | 0.8 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 2.8 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 16.8 |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 84 | 26 | 43.6 | 38.6 | 88.1 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 12.1 |
| 2023-24 * | IND | 52 | 26 | 44.3 | 38.4 | 84.8 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 12.0 |
| 2023-24 * | PHL | 32 | 26 | 42.6 | 38.9 | 92.3 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 12.2 |
| Total | 632 | 29 | 43.4 | 40.0 | 86.0 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 15.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
