Happy Sunday everybody, how are we all doing on this fine day?
I’m still very drunk on that game winner buzz given what took place yesterday.
My doctor had no answers, that’s simply the power of game winners I guess.
Technically it’s 4, but with the tie breaker now, it’s really 5.
You see things usually follow a similar path before these two teams play.
Think of each matchup this season, how has it been setup and then gone?
This was the year The Process was different and a title contender.
In Game 1, the Celts kicked their ass and Embiid was a non-factor.
Before their second matchup, Embiid beat Jokic and was crowned the MVP.
You turned on the TV and heard people say the Sixers were actually the best team in the East.
Embiid was once again a non-factor.
Before Game 3, the process repeated itself.
That has to be tough, but here’s the thing.
It’s not their fault.
This is a situation very similar to the Celts dominance over BKN.
This is a matchup problem.
Few teams do, so don’t take it too personally.
The 2017 Rockets can’t guard the 2023 Celtics, who could have possibly seen that coming.
With that said, we have a lot to get to.
Let’s dive in.
The Good
- Today’s top spot was not an easy choice let me tell you.
Let’s keep it simple.
Derrick was one of, if not the best Celtic to tough the floor last night.
As a reminder, this is a player that comes off the bench.
What I love about Derrick is that you often hear he’s the ultimate glue guy.
I’ve thought about it more, and it’s almost like DWhite is more Play Doh than glue.
Do you need a #1 scoring guard?
OK, Derrick will go out there and get you an efficient 20+.
Do you need a secondary off ball shooter?
OK, Derrick’s new and improved jumper will give you 2+ 3PM easy.
OK, no problem.
Derrick molds into whatever this team needs on any given night, and then he thrives.
It’s fantastic to watch.
Just look at his game log since the Smart injury.
What a blessing this is to have on your team.
If I had to go up against this roster I’d be so bullshit.
There’s never a break at any point of the game.
- I’m starting to think Jaylen might enjoy playing with the mask.
That’s NBA 101.
To my eyes, it would appear that Jaylen has figured out how to unlock that power.
Only 4 3PA on the night and everything else like this?
This is what I meant about being a matchup problem.
As of now, this is the Sixers best and only rim protector.
On the perimeter, you’re seeing lineups where George Niang has to try and guard Jaylen Brown.
That’s just not fair for Niang.
Jaylen is too quick and too strong once he gets his shoulders past you.
- I just know Al Horford loved every second of this game.
His three point eruption saved the game.
Without that personal 9 point run after the Celts got down 15, they don’t win this game.
I don’t get why Sixers fans are so mad at Al.
He looked good in ATL, BOS, OKC, and now BOS again.
Sounds to me like that’s a Sixers problem not an Al Horford problem.
Now he burying dagger threes right in those fan’s eyeballs.
You gotta love it.
you gotta understand what does and doesn’t work.
That starting group was ROUGH holy shit.
This is what I think we learned last night.
The spacing is kind of fucked up.
Does that mean he’s perfect and always comes through?
He has his struggles at times just like anyone else.
He also does this
He is literally the most clutch player in the NBA.
That’s not me saying it, that’s the actual data.
Go cry about it.
We can all agree that for 95% of this game, Jayson Tatum was playing brain dead basketball.
Just gross stuff from an efficiency standpoint, a turnover standpoint, it was brutal.
But when it came time to show up, Tatum delivered.
That three from the wing to make it 102-97.
The tip in to go up 107-103, and then the game winner.
Not to mention he assisted that huge Al 3PM with 90 seconds left.
If the final play looked familiar, it’s because we’ve seen it before this season.
If he wants to take it to the rim, also cool!
If he wants to take a fadeaway, awesome!
That final play was the epitome of Love and Trust for everyone invovled.
Joe for the love and trust of running that for Tatum despite his offensive struggles.
And finally, Tatum, for loving and trusting his hard work and ability at that moment.
All I care about with him is that his body holds up.
Just be patient with that.
The more important thing is how Rob’s body is responding to consistently playing 30+ minutes a night.
So far, so good, and that’s big moving forward.
- Heading into this game, the Sixers owned the 7th ranked defense in the NBA.
That’s pretty good.
- Imagine getting a 35-12 FTA advantage and still not winning.
We just saw them do it.
- I’m starting to get pretty annoyed with this whole start slow out of the halftime break thing.
The Celts come out with such a lack of focus/energy it makes no sense.
Now the Celts are equipped to handle these Smart off nights, which is nice.
- I will say though, I need Brogdon to get back to not missing so many fucking layups.
Tatum took just 2 FTA in this game, that’s unacceptable.
The Sixers entire offense relies on the bailout foul.
It’s that simple.
When you actually force them to make baskets, their offense craters.
The final tally of 35-12 is one thing.
Joel Embiid taking 18 FTA to the Celts 12 is one thing.
It took being +20 in FTM points just for the Sixers to be tied.
Just look at each game these two teams have played.
Games 2 and 3 were relatively close, why do we think that is?
Without it, these games are blowouts.
The more important aspect of last night is it kept the Celts on pace with MIL.
Meanwhile the Celts have won 9 of their last 11 and can play even better.
