The Philadelphia 76ers delivered a dazzling performance to outshine the defending champions. Joel Embiid led the charge by posting 41 points and 10 assists. Tyrese Maxey added to the spectacle with a near-double-double, 25 points and 9 assists. However, despite the standout efforts, securing the win was no walk in the park. Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets exhibited a formidable display. A total of 7 players amassed double-digit scoring for the champs. Jokic spearheaded them with 19 rebounds and 25 points.

Although he didn’t find success from long-range, Jokic had a 55% efficiency by converting 11 of his 20 field-goal attempts. One noteworthy factor contributing to Jokic’s efficiency was exploiting mismatches, particularly when facing Tyrese Maxey.

Tyrese Maxey breaks down guarding Nikola Jokic

In the post-game interview, Maxey was asked about finding himself in the blender against Jokic due to defensive switches. In response, Maxey humorously quipped, “Pray!?” eliciting chuckles from the media executives. He then added, “Hope he brings the ball down so I can try to steal it,” concluding with a witty nod to thank Joel Embiid for his presence in the paint.

Nevertheless, Maxey delved into the potential strategy against Jokic, underscoring getting into Jokic’s body to make things challenging for him. However, he candidly acknowledged the inherent mismatch, highlighting Jokic’s towering 7-foot stature compared to Maxey’s 6’2 frame.

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Addressing such mismatches poses a challenge not only for an individual player like Maxey but also for an entire team. Moreover, the available approaches to counteract a mismatch, like the one involving Jokic and Maxey, often revolve around tactical adjustments rather than having comprehensive, foolproof plans.

There are limited options to hold off  Jokic

Nikola Jokic is labeled as one of the best centers in the modern NBA. Moreover, given his last season run, he is on a pace where there are only a few options to deploy against him.

One approach is to employ a double team on Jokic. However, the tactic comes with its challenges, since he he stands out as a prolific scorer and also as one of the best passers in the history of the game. Furthermore, Jokic prefers passing the ball more than he likes to shoot it. This makes double-teaming a risky proposition since teams would ultimately be playing into his strengths when doing so.

Another option is to engage him in individual matchups. Yet, considering Jokic’s two MVP awards in the last three seasons, coaches often hesitate to pursue this strategy. Even when challenged in one-on-one situations, Jokic boasts a diverse skill set, including post moves, ball handling, and his iconic casual one-step floater from long range.

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So, the dilemma remains: should opponents let the innovative center beat them in a one-on-one showdown, or should they give him opportunities to allow his teammates to do so?