“Boston’s bench dominates Philadelphia in NBA playoffs”

“Our strength lies in our depth”a reminded Malcolm Brogdon this Thursday, after the Celtics’ big victory against the Sixers (121-87). The Sixth Man of the Year, who definitely did not steal his title, is right. Keeping opposing substitutes at bay, he pressed where it hurts: on depth, Boston’s asset, Philadelphia’s Achilles’ heel.

Brogdon alone scored 23 points in his usual role, in the second unit. The nine players making up the bench of the Sixers, them, scored only 3 more on the meeting (26). The difference ? The former Rookie of the Year spent 24 minutes on the court, compared to 97 for De’Anthony Melton and consorts.

With his 6 award-winning three-point shots (out of 10 attempts), Malcolm Brogdon tied a franchise record off the bench. Philadelphia substitutes, on the contrary, watered behind the line (2/12), missing the majority of their shots overall (10/27).

Author of 17 points at 5/6 at three points during the victory in Game 1, Melton missed his match (2 points at 1/5 shooting). Finally, alone Paul Reed (6 points and 8 rebounds) had an interesting contribution. Opposite, even beyond the leader of the second unit, the men in green responded present.

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54 to 26: the big victory for the Celtics bench

“We have guys like me, Derrick White (among the starters tonight) et Grant Williamswho play behind our two superstars and who are ready to contribute when we can”, Brogdon added. In total, the Boston bench has 54 points in 110 minutes, 19/35 shooting and 12/24 three-pointers.

This reality is more complex to express in figures, but the replacements of Joe Mazzulla also have a lot more weight defensively. Between the players already mentioned and Robert Williams (3 counters this night), the intensity and the defensive predispositions are not lacking.

On paper, the Celtic bench is well above that of the Sixers and poses a difficult challenge to Doc Rivers. On the pitch, the difference was even greater in this meeting, an insoluble puzzle for a team whose shallow depth could prevent them from reaching the heights.

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