A greater model of protection shall be on the thoughts of the Boston Celtics after they attempt to rebound from a series-opening defeat on their dwelling court docket towards the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday
The Celtics‘ Al Horford admitted that group defensive depth was missing after they performed the 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday night time. Now, Boston has to win Game 2 at dwelling to keep away from falling right into a 2-0 gap within the best-of-seven sequence
Although they performed with out MVP candidate Joel Embiid (knee), Philadelphia prevailed 119-115 within the sequence opener. James Harden poured in a game-high 45 factors, however the 76ers additionally obtained loads of offense from their supporting solid
Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey scored 26 factors, Tobias Harris completed with 18 and De’Anthony Melton got here off the bench to toss in 17.
In addition, Philadelphia obtained 10 factors and 13 rebounds from Paul Reed, who began at heart in Embiid’s absence.
“We did not do nearly as good a job defensively as we may,” Horford stated, alluding to an incapability to regulate defensive methods. “As a lot as you do not wish to say (Embiid’s absence) wasn’t an element, I feel it was. We must be higher. We have to grasp that we’ve to have the ability to play with no matter occurs, no matter variables.”
Embiid’s standing for Game 2 remained unchanged as of Tuesday afternoon, in line with head coach Doc Rivers. He hasn’t performed in Philadelphia’s final two video games after injuring his knee in Game 3 of the group’s first-round sequence victory towards the Brooklyn Nets.
“In a whole lot of methods, when Embiid would not play everyone else is empowered,” Boston’s Malcolm Brogdon stated. “Everybody else has the inexperienced mild and guys are gonna step up, and I believed that is what occurred. I feel we anticipated that, guys to step up, however we nonetheless struggled with it. We simply gotta be ready.”
Boston had a 115-114 lead after Jayson Tatum made two free throws with 26.1 seconds left, however Harden sank a 3-pointer – his seventh of the sport on 14 makes an attempt – that put Philadelphia in entrance for good with 8.4 seconds to play.
Harden’s 45 factors matched his career-high in a playoff sport. He additionally scored 45 factors when he performed for Houston in a victory over Golden State within the 2015 Western Conference finals.
“We did not come into this sport anticipating to lose,” Harden stated. “We’re right here to win. Even after this one I advised guys, ‘Don’t get too pleased.’ We’re even-keeled. We’re coming in right here to get Game 2 as effectively. That’s the mindset we’ve as a unit and whether or not (Embiid) comes again or not we’ll be able to go.”
Boston obtained 39 factors from Tatum and 23 from Jaylen Brown within the loss, however Harden alone outscored Tatum and Brown 15-10 within the fourth quarter. Philadelphia was higher down the stretch, ending the sport on a 12-4 run.
The Celtics had a 66-42 benefit in factors within the paint, however that wasn’t sufficient to beat Harden’s 17-for-30 (56.7 %) total taking pictures efficiency
“(Harden) was phenomenal for us,” Harris stated. “He had an enormous quantity of confidence in his sport and what he works on. He’s been doing it for thus lengthy and it was a tremendous time to return out and simply dominate.
“He dominated the entire sport and carried us to the victory. It was a group effort, however he did a tremendous job of getting his composure all all through the sport to assist us win.”
–Field Level Media