Despite Monday's 106-92 Game 1 loss to the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers said the team will stick with DeAndre Jordan as its starting center while Joel Embiid recovers from an orbital injury.
"We like DJ; we're going to keep starting him, whether you like it or not," Rivers said, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "That's what we're gonna do because our guys believe in him."
Jordan finished with a minus-22 net rating in 17 minutes of action in Game 1, putting up four points, two rebounds, and two blocks.
The 33-year-old allowed 51 points on 32 possessions played, according to NBA.com's John Schuhmann, and Miami outscored the 76ers by 71.5 points per 100 possessions when Jordan was on the court.
Embiid suffered an orbital fracture and mild concussion in Philadelphia's series-clinching Game 6 win against the Toronto Raptors in Round 1. The 28-year-old didn't travel with the team to Miami for Game 1 or Game 2, but the team is reportedly optimistic he'll return when the series shifts to Philadelphia.
Rivers also turned to veteran forward Paul Millsap and second-year wing Paul Reed to play crucial minutes at center in Embiid's absence. Both players finished with negative net ratings in Game 1 versus Miami, and Paul had five fouls in 13 minutes.
"We also love Paul (Reed), but we don't need Paul in foul trouble," Rivers said, according to The Athletic's Rich Hoffman. "And that's why we don’t want to start him."
Game 2 is set for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
