Great performance from Boston, which confirmed its “blowout” achieved in Game 2 by winning in Philadelphia tonight, all on the evening of the MVP trophy ceremony for Joel Embiid!
Determined to spoil the party, the Celtics did what was necessary from the start to prevent the assembly from igniting by slamming a resounding 6/10 from 3-pointers in less than six minutes, the work of the Smart quartet -White-Tatum-Horford, to take a 10-point lead (14-24).
Not enough to discourage the Sixers who began their recovery without delay. Tyrese Maxey and De’Anthony Melton then accompanied a Joel Embiid who was first a blocker before switching to scorer mode (29-28). While the two teams were tied, Boston took the best before the break through Jaylen Brown, author of a big pass with three baskets including a 2 + 1 to bring the score to 44-52. At 3-point at the half-time buzzer, Al Horford then responded to De’Anthony Melton to maintain a 7-point lead in favor of the Celtics (50-57).
Boston did not release the pressure on returning from the locker room, with Al Horford and Marcus Smart to eclipse the two 3-point baskets from Joel Embiid and PJ Tucker in quick succession (62-70).
The Jay’s were also doing their part, although Jayson Tatum had to leave the field briefly after a crash landed him in the front row. Under pressure, the C’s then responded via the inevitable Jaylen Brown and then two 3-point missiles full of composure from Malcolm Brogdon to complete an 8-0 and move to +12 on the score shortly before the start of the last act (76-88).
The efforts of Georges Niang, author of three baskets in a row, then De’Anthony Melton on a 3-pointer in the corner, had the merit of waking up the assembly shortly before the return of Joel Embiid to the field (89-95 ).
But the Celtics again responded with two 3-point baskets signed Malcolm Brogdon and Al Horford, forcing Doc Rivers to stop the game just under three minutes from time (96-103). Jayson Tatum then finished the job with a “turnaround jumpshot” followed by a 3-point step-back from elsewhere to end his demonstration with two free throws condemning the locals’ last hopes for a final success for the C’s on the score from 114 to 102.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Joel Embiid in history. Elected MVP of the season, Joel Embiid was able to lift his trophy in front of his audience in the preamble to the meeting, a highlight marked by his few tears when his son joined him in the middle of the floor. Back after a sprained right knee that sidelined him for two weeks, his presence on the floor was already a small victory. On the ground, however, Boston was then happy to spoil the party by winning 114-102.
– When the Celtics play like this… The adversary usually can’t do much! And unfortunately for the Sixers, that’s what happened tonight. Boston gained confidence by displaying a remarkable passing game that created gaps and generated open shots from the start of the game. We then saw a lot of similar sequences with doubling of passes, balls that traveled from one side to the other, were brought out towards the shooters… Enough to drive the locals crazy who ended up letting go at the end third quarter.
– More beautiful bumps… The meeting still had its share of more or less severe physical glitches. Jayson Tatum was able to quickly come back into play after a fall where he landed on the front row after the rest. More concerning, Robert Williams III landed on his elbow as he tried to save a ball. The pivot of the C’s took a little time to recover. It was then Joel Embiid who found himself on the ground, touching his tailbone. In his fall, the Cameroonian squarely stepped on the head of Grant Williams involuntarily. An incident that still caused a bleed in the mouth of Grant Williams and perhaps even damaged his teeth, even if he too came back into play later. Details that will be important as Game 4 takes place on Sunday.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jaylen Brown. In line with his previous match, he was a constant and effective benchmark for the Celtics throughout the game, distinguishing himself in particular by his “And-1” witnesses of his determination.
✅ Jayson Tatum. After a very difficult Game 2 and an injury that earned him a brief return to the locker room in the third quarter, JT had saved the best for last. Author of 10 of his 27 points in the last act, he carried his team on his shoulders when Philly put pressure to come back at the end.
✅ Al Horford. Marcus Smart or Malcolm Brogdon could also have been named among the X factors of the encounter. But Al Horford deserved credit for their best game of the 2023 playoff campaign so far. He also stood out for his magnificent 5/7 from 3-pointers and his important baskets, such as the one scored at the half-time buzzer or in the “money-time” when the Sixers put a lot of pressure with the public support to catch up.
✅ ⛔️Joel Embiid. How to fall on him? The pivot plays clearly diminished, with a slight splint in the right knee, and must enter his matches in diesel mode, gradually gaining confidence. If he made 30 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks, he does not show the same intensity as before his injury and does his best to play his role, even if it was not enough, once again, tonight.
⛔️ James Harden. After his exceptional Game 1, “The Beard” has been in a black hole for two games. He still watered a lot last night (3/14) and lost too many important balls (5).
THE FOLLOWING
Game 4 in Philadelphia this Sunday (9:30 p.m.).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
