The Celtics are up a recreation on Philadelphia in a scrappy sequence headed to recreation 4.
Recreation 3 ended with a Jayson Tatum dagger solidifying the win for the group in inexperienced. After a complicated and barely worrying Recreation 2, the Cs rallied late after a close to comeback from the Sixers led by Tyrese Maxey. Since 2024, the Celtics are 3-4 in Recreation 2’s (all at house) but are 20-5 in all different playoff video games. With Embiid nonetheless sidelined, will this sequence finish in 5?
Jayson Tatum is scorching the Sixers protection
Considered one of my predictions was that Tatum can be matched up in opposition to Paul George in a battle between the 2 All-Star wings, but he has discovered himself in opposition to Kelly Oubre Jr or Quentin Grimes primarily. He went 9-17 in video games 1 and three whereas bringing down 30 boards within the sequence. He’s been an unimaginable rebounder since his return regardless of grabbing his regular free defensive ones. I’ve beloved his passing as effectively; he has no sense of tunnel imaginative and prescient even when calling for an iso. He has 23 assists, however what seems like 50 hockey assists. His arms are throughout each possession and has been a breath of recent air from the Brown-dominated offense of the vast majority of the season.
Talking of Jaylen Brown, he’s the “first possibility” on this group nonetheless. An antiquated phrase in itself, he has led the group in scoring sporting a 36-point efficiency in a loss in Recreation 2. I’ve beloved his strategy via the 2 wins specializing in extra of a slashing, mid-range recreation. He shot twelve threes within the loss and doubled down on his misses. Defensively he’s been stout as effectively, with a highlight chase down block on Edgecombe paying homage to Lebron James. The tandem scored or assisted on 90+% of the factors within the loss, displaying our reliance on them to win which could be to our detriment.
Ought to C’s followers be involved about Derrick White?
I’ll be sincere. Sure. White was borderline unplayable in Recreation 2, uncharacteristic for the Sportsman of the Year. He shot 25% within the final two video games and had a unfavorable plus minus within the 8-point win Friday. His capturing has been questionable, a typical storyline all through this season, and now appears to be like afraid to place up photographs. On protection he’s as formidable as ever however definitely can’t sustain with the breakneck velocity of Maxey and Edgecombe, which isn’t to his fault.
With swirling trade rumors about Giannis Antetokounmpo doubtlessly being involved in Boston, followers on-line have put collectively packages delivery White to Milwaukee alongside a king’s ransom of picks. Personally, I’m not optimistic in regards to the long-term well being of Giannis but additionally query his match with the Jays. However that’s not necessary proper now.
The bench is shining as ever
In Recreation 3, Pritchard and Walsh had been each +18 taking part in fantastic protection on the additionally nice Philadelphia second unit. Scheierman had a highlight no-dip three and in addition performed necessary minutes down the stretch for his defensive influence. It’s been superior watching his improvement since he was drafted out of Creighton. Scheierman was touted because the Hauser alternative however now finds himself as a real 3 and D man whereas I see Hauser as solely a 3 man. With Embiid doubtlessly returning in Recreation 4, the bigs have to buckle up for a extra bodily time on the boards (despite the fact that Bona and Drummond are extraordinarily potent there as effectively). Queta is getting pushed round which has upset me as he was on a scorching streak coming into the playoffs.
It’s been an extremely entertaining sequence up to now and an excellent week for Boston sports activities. With the Bruins attempting to climb again in a hard-fought sequence in opposition to the Sabres and the Crimson Sox taking part in the Yankees all at one time, it felt like a rivalry week.
The Celtics and Sixers return on Sunday, at 7:00 PM EST on NBC/Peacock.
