By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Furkan Korkmaz banked 21 points on Wednesday but the Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Toronto Raptors. The outcome locked them into a best-of-seven series versus the Boston Celtics for the first round of the NBA playoffs scheduled to start next week in the Orlando bubble.
“I think we are ready to fight against everybody. It does not matter who the opponent is,” the Turkish sharpshooter replied to a question regarding the Celtics, “Philly against Boston, it’s a big deal. It’s a big game.”
Ben Simmons is out and Joel Embiid picked up a wrist injury against the Raptors. One seeding game left against the Houston Rockets Friday.
“We can talk about the matchups, how are we going to guard them and how they are going to guard us,” added Korkmaz looking ahead to the postseason, “I think it’s more important how we will show up than how they are going to play. That is key for us.”
He lasted 29 minutes for his bubble-high 21 points making 5/9 threes to go along with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
“We have some ups and downs, I also have some ups and downs,” he confessed, “I know my role. I am feeling good. I wish we would have won this game but we are getting ready for the playoffs.”