A Boston / Philadelphia always has a special flavor. All the more so in recent years, given these two series of playoffs between the two teams, in 2018 (conference semi-final) and 2020 (first round).
Tonight, the tension was palpable on the floor, with this clash that smelled of spring and during which the defenses got the better of the attacks. Ultimately, it was the Sixers who snatched victory at TD Garden (108-103), thanks to their “money-time” much better controlled than that of the Celtics, guided by Jaylen Brown (30 points).
Led by a huge Joel Embiid (41 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks!), Which is more decisive at the end (17 points in the last quarter), the Philadelphia players put thus ending their three-game losing streak in a row. In addition to returning above 50% of victories, while Boston returns for its part below.
A success that is good for the morale of the men of Doc Rivers, decimated by the Covid-19 as well as those of Ime Udoka, and who have long been in the lead in this part, before leaving the controls to the franchise of Massachusetts, from the third quarter. Then regain the advantage in the last moments of the fourth, in the wake of Joel Embiid, previously perfectly supported by Seth Curry (26 points, 7 assists) and Tobias Harris (25 points, 7 rebounds).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Joel Embiid as boss in the “money-time”. Without Robert Williams, Al Horford or Grant Williams, the Celtics expected to suffer in defense against the Cameroonian. He confirmed these fears, delivering a fourth quarter of madness to offer victory to the Sixers. At mid-distance, with his little “fadeaways” and “stepbacks” on one leg, or throws, the All-Star pivot sickened Boston, who still led 97-90 four minutes from time, before cashing a 18-6 scathing. And “JoJo” is no stranger to it, he who notably scored the last 9 points of his team, to total 17 units over the period.
— The Boston collective was not enough. To oppose the Curry / Harris / Embiid trio, the Celtics have long relied on their collective, to compensate for the clumsiness of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the first half. We even believed from the third quarter that this variety of offensive options would finally get the better of the Sixers’ individualities, but a last act too badly negotiated shattered the hopes of Boston. Just elected Player of the week in the East, Jayson Tatum, stifled by Matisse Thybulle, failed and he may in particular regret his 6 lost balls or his little 5/14 on shots.
— When the fire alarm makes its own. There was total incomprehension at TD Garden, when an evacuation alert was triggered in the room, just moments before the “jump-ball”. In view of the current health situation, some people probably believed themselves a year and a half behind, one evening in March 2020, when the season suddenly came to a halt before a Thunder / Jazz began. But finally, it wasn’t too big of a deal tonight, as the Celtics and Sixers faced off as planned. With just a quarter of an hour of delay, caused by a ruptured pipe in one of the stands in the Garden.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Seth Curry et Tobias Harris. Before Joel Embiid carried the whole of Philadelphia on his shoulders in the last act, the Sixers could also count on the exploits of their Curry / Harris pair to lead the race, then stay in the wheel of the Celtics, in the first three. quarters. Whether at mid-distance, 3-point or throws, the two lieutenants of “JoJo” wandered in the defense of these Celtics unable to really slow them down. On arrival, Curry and Harris therefore accumulate 51 points together, with some nice shifts (10 assists) and a great 17/27 on shots, 6/6 on 3-points and 11/13 on throws!
✅ Payton Pritchard. He could have been the unexpected hero for the Celtics today, but the Boston pocket point guard came down harder than him. With his 14 points off the bench, including 7 in the last quarter, it once again weighed on a game, after his great performance on Saturday night, against the Knicks. His 3-point nerve and his activity on both sides of the court have constantly boosted Ime Udoka’s men. A welcome contribution, which contrasts with the performance of Dennis Schröder (8 points, 3/10 on shots), transparent and probably short of pace for his return after two games of absence.
⛔ Defense of Enes Freedom. True to his new identity, the Celtics hub has left too much freedom for the Sixers. Even if he fought well last night, to the point of finishing in double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds), the American-Turkish suffered martyrdom against Joel Embiid, throughout the game. Especially in the last act, where the Cameroonian made him the total. Unable to come out off the coast, or even to climb high enough to hamper the attackers on the “pick-and-roll”, the interior thus weighed down his family with its deficiencies in defense. And we almost regret the 7 minutes of play offered to Bruno Fernando.
⛔ The other Philadelphia players. Apart from Seth Curry, Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid, authors of 92 points (!) To three, the six other Sixers players who came into play last night have accumulated only 16 points, 5/17 on shots. If the victory is certainly present at the arrival, it was near for Philadelphia not to concede a fourth consecutive defeat. In the future, and in view of the franchise’s many absences, it will therefore take more in attack from Danny Green, Matisse Thybulle and Isaiah Joe, to prevent the Curry / Harris / Embiid trio from running out and do not end the matches on the kneecaps.
THE FOLLOWING
Boston (15-16) : Cleveland reception, Wednesday night to Thursday (1:30 am).
Philadelphia (16-15) : Atlanta reception, Thursday night through Friday (1:00 am).
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