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Amir Johnson, starting in place of Joel Embiid, focusing on defense heading into NBA playoffs

Amir Johnson will make his 25th NBA postseason start on Saturday in place of injured Joel Embiid in Game 1 of a first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat.

Though Embiid has been such a huge part of the Sixers success this season, Johnson is not feeling any unordinary pressure heading into Game 1.

“I’ve played in 42 playoff games before so I already know what to expect,” he said Friday following Sixers practice in Camden. “I’m going to just do me, do what I’ve been doing in the other playoff games. Just play hard as hell.