Celtics Falter Once Again as James Harden Scores 45 Points Against Them.
The outcome of Game 1 between the Sixers and Celtics carries considerable significance for the rest of the playoff series. While the Sixers' comeback for a 119-115 win was impressive, the impact of the game goes beyond the final score.
As with basketball baskets, not all wins or losses in a playoff series are of equal importance. This matchup may prove to be a turning point for either team and set the tone for the remainder of the series.
With a Game 1 win under their belt, Philadelphia may opt to rest Joel Embiid until the series moves to their home court. Boston's struggles in efficiently closing out their previous series against the Hawks have granted Embiid additional time for rest and rehabilitation. If his return is delayed until Friday, it could improve his consistency and elevate the Sixers to the Eastern Conference Finals.
However, even if the Celtics manage to advance, their path to a championship has become more challenging following Monday's loss. Last year's Finals loss highlighted the importance of seizing opportunities, and the more they fail to capitalize on games like Game 1 against the Sixers, the greater the risk of missing out on the ultimate goal of Banner 18.
In Boston's Game 1 loss to Philadelphia, one notable highlight was Jaylen Brown's explosive start to the series.
- Brown brought an abundance of energy, setting the tone early by moving with great speed and agility, displaying his quick reflexes, and attacking the basket with confidence. His performance was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing game for the Celtics.
In addition, he showcased his passing ability with two assists, one of which was a pass to Jayson Tatum.
Brown's second assist was an impressive display of teamwork, as he and Al Horford executed a give-and-go play to perfection. Brown passed the ball to Horford, who then passed it back to Brown, drawing the attention of Horford's defender. Brown then returned the ball to Horford, who finished with a layup to score the Celtics' first points of the game.
Brown's hot start continued as he hit his first two three-pointers, contributing to ten of the Celtics' first 20 points. By the end of the first quarter, the talented guard had already accumulated 14 points, leading the team and propelling them to a 38-31 advantage heading into the second quarter.
- Boston's Collective Effort in Pushing the Tempo: The Celtics' emphasis on playing at a fast pace was evident throughout the first quarter. The team's success often hinges on their ability to maintain a high tempo, and it proved to be a successful strategy in the opening frame.
One notable example of Boston's up-tempo play was when Brown quickly transitioned off a made basket by the Sixers. This caught Philadelphia off guard, resulting in a defensive breakdown that allowed Malcolm Brogdon to score an open three-pointer from the right wing.
Boston's Fast-Paced Approach Leads to Dominant First Quarter: The Celtics' commitment to playing up-tempo basketball, regardless of whether they were coming off makes or misses, was a key factor in their impressive first quarter performance. Boston shot a remarkable 85 percent from the field, which included a 66.7 percent conversion rate from three-point range (4/6), and assisted on 11 out of their 17 made baskets.
The Celtics' up-tempo approach also contributed to their dominant performance in the paint, outscoring the Sixers 26-8, as well as a commanding 10-2 lead in fast-break points.
- With star center Joel Embiid sidelined, it was expected that the Sixers would prioritize an up-tempo style of play, shooting more threes and aggressively attacking the offensive glass. Having faced the Hawks in the previous round, who employed a similar strategy, Boston should have been better prepared to counter this approach.
- The Celtics were also hampered by their seven turnovers in the first half, which resulted in a 13-4 points-off-turnovers advantage for the Sixers.
- In the second quarter, Tatum's performance was a welcome development for Boston as he played up to his superstar status. The four-time All-Star exploded for 20 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field.
In addition to his impressive performance from beyond the arc, where he sunk all four of his attempts, Tatum also demonstrated his versatility by staying active without the ball and contributing points in the paint.
According to ESPN Stats&Info, Tatum's first-half performance, where he scored 26 points, is the second-highest scoring half by a Celtics player since Ray Allen's 27-point first half in Game 2 of the 2010 Finals.
- As the game progressed, Boston's pace of play started to slow down in the second quarter and continued in the third, with the team struggling to initiate their offense quickly. As a result, they committed five turnovers and shot just 38.9 percent from the field in the third quarter, scoring only 21 points.
Despite the Sixers scoring just 24 points in the third quarter and committing four turnovers while shooting 41.7 percent, the Celtics' struggles led to the game being tied at 87 entering the final quarter. Boston shot just 38.9 percent from the field and committed five turnovers in the frame.
- The Celtics' ability to win the little battles made a huge impact in the closing minutes of the game. From Marcus Smart's savvy cuts to baskets off second-chance opportunities like Al Horford's put-back on the team's third shot attempt, the hustle plays were instrumental in swinging the game in Boston's direction.
Despite a strong effort by the Celtics, the Sixers managed to keep the game close with a minute left, even with Boston leading 16-8 in points in the paint. However, one crucial mistake almost cost the Celtics the game.
With the shot clock winding down, Malcolm Brogdon drove and passed the ball out, but it ended up in the hands of Tyrese Maxey, who scored an easy breakaway layup, giving the Sixers a slim 114-113 lead with just 28.2 seconds left in the game.
In the closing moments of the game, Tatum managed to put the Celtics ahead 115-114 after a free-throw, but James Harden responded with a clutch three-pointer that put the hosts down two with only 8.4 seconds left on the clock. Unfortunately, the Celtics' chance of striking back was eliminated when Smart's pass was intercepted, resulting in two free throws for Paul Reed and a 119-115 win for the Sixers.
Philadelphia's victory in Game 1 at TD Garden gives them an advantage, as it may allow them to rest Embiid longer and hold him out until the series shifts to their home court. The outcome of this matchup and the possibility of Embiid returning in top form or close to it may ultimately determine which team advances to the Eastern Conference Finals.
- The Celtics struggled with their pace of play during Monday's game, which proved to be a significant issue. While their up-tempo approach yielded positive results in the first quarter, the Philadelphia 76ers' zone defense slowed their momentum, leading to 16 turnovers, which was double the amount of the visitors. Philadelphia capitalized on these turnovers, outscoring the hosts 20-13 off of giveaways.
In the last three quarters, the Sixers' zone defense was successful in achieving its primary goal, as the Celtics struggled from beyond the arc, shooting only 6 of 20 attempts (30 percent).
- The Sixers' ability to make shots and play at a faster pace kept them in the game, despite being forced to downsize. With the floor spread out, James Harden was able to take advantage of Boston's defense and create scoring opportunities.
James Harden was the top performer of the game, scoring a game-high 45 points on 17/30 field goals, including 7/14 from beyond the arc. Despite his dominance, he only attempted four free throws.
Moreover, Boston's strategy of doubling him too frequently might have backfired, as he consistently found open teammates who converted on good looks.
De'Anthony Melton reaped the benefits of Boston sending an extra defender at Harden and came off the bench to produce 17 points, making 5 out of 6 threes. However,
when the help defense didn't come, Harden made the hosts pay. His clutch three over Horford, putting his team ahead with less than ten seconds left, was a prime example of this.
When one team shoots significantly better from beyond the arc than the other, as Philadelphia did against Boston, making 17 of 38 attempts compared to Boston's 10 on 12 fewer attempts, it often proves to be a deciding factor in the game's outcome.
- The Celtics and Sixers will face off again in Game 2 on Wednesday night at TD Garden, with tip-off at 8:00 p.m. EST. Keep an eye on Inside The Celtics for coverage leading up to, during, and after the game. For in-depth analysis and real-time updates, follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter.
0 Comments