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Former Vols: Tobias Harris is the key to Philadelphia 76ers playoff run

By Billy Williford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: Tobias Harris #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a basket in the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during game three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 18, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: Tobias Harris #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a basket in the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during game three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 18, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The First-Round of the NBA Playoffs are heating up, and former Tennessee basketball player Tobias Harris is playing well. He is the key to Philadelphia 76ers Championship run.

Nearly two months ago former Vol Tobias Harris was traded to the Philadelphia, and now the 76ers are the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Since being in Philadelphia, Harris has averaged 18.2 points per game while shooting 46.9 percent from the floor. His numbers are very comparable from the Clippers other than shooting 11 percent worse from the three-point line.

Despite being the three seed, Philadelphia has a chance to represent the East Conference in the NBA Finals. But, Harris is the key.

Yes, the 76ers have Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons, and J.J. Redick who all average over 15 points per game. However, it’s Harris that is the key to the playoff run, and he’s proved that in the First-Round against the Brooklyn Nets.

In the first game of the series, the Nets took a 111-102 win. Harris scored four points on just 2-for-7 from the floor, including 0-for-2 from the three-point line. Now, he did account for seven rebounds and six assists, but that wasn’t enough to get the 76ers the win.

However, Philly won the next two games in the series, and one could point to Harris being the difference maker. In the 145-123 win of Game 2, Harris scored 19 points on 5-for-12 from the floor, including 2-for-4 from deep. He also was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line.

Game 3 the Sixers were without Joel Embiid due to a nagging knee injury. That didn’t affect the game though. Philly took a 131-115 win to go up 2-1 in the series thanks to 29 points from Harris. The former Vol made 11 of his 19 shot attempts, including a perfect 6-for-6 from the three-point line. He also added 16 rebounds.

So far in the three-game series, Harris is a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line and 8-for-12, 66.7 percent from deep. Without Embiid, the Sixers need massive games from Harris and with the way he’s playing there is a good chance the wins keep rolling.

Next. 10 Vols who did not benefit from 2019 spring practice. dark

The 76ers are back in action for Game 4 on Saturday at 3:00 pm in Brooklyn, NY at the Barclays Center. Tune in to see if Harris can lead his team to another win.

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