I don't think anyone reads THAT much into the steak. It was needed to get the 3 seed. There was a lot of cream puffs, but young teams, esp post embiid injury, could easily have lost one.
I think it gave confidence to all, and there wer so many blow outs they didn't have to over see anyone.
The big adjustment at half was basically removing Whiteside from the game by putting Ilyasova at center. That forced them to match up Simmons plus 4 shooters while still having three bigs for the rebounding advantage.
What they do with Redick and Balinelli is so nice. They both run around constantly, and Redick can hit if he gets an inch, and balinelli seems to thrive shooting off the move, and off balance. Which gives him that inch in itself.
Combined with Simmons ability to pass on time on pocket and to find cutters if anyone turns their head.
I also think fultz can do a lot of running the same style. And saric, Ilyasova gives you at least one stretch big who can really shoot on the floor. Covington has been able to focus on defense with his usage lower, which fits him better
He was everywhere defensively fantastic.
Olynk was great but can't expect that every game, that style of game won't work.