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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 0:28:36 GMT -5
The Sixers will be desperate for a win today or face an angry fandom and a game 5 back in Boston down 3-1 needing to win all the remaining games to ascend to the ECF. Based on the regular season history between the two teams, that's unlikely to happen. If the Celtics have learned anything by now they should be looking to put the Sixers away as soon as possible to mend their ailing bones and get their legs some rest ... not that it's needed at this point but it surely wouldn't hurt to go into the ECF fully energized especially if they will be meeting their old foe Jimmy Butler and the Heat.
Of course if the series comes crashing down on Sixer fans they always have the Phillies. And with baseball seemingly revitalized with rule changes, new blood and exciting games again, PA is making a comeback as one of the top Sports States in America with the Sixers, Eagles and Phillies/Pirates. Ok, so the Phills are lagging the Braves and the Pirates/Cubs is no Yankee/Red Sox rivalry. But when roundball ends, baseball could be back ... it may be premature but "We're talkin' baseball!" Instead of seeing Chaim Bloom getting the boot, I'm anticipating the Sox kicking the Yanks further into the cellar.
Ironically, right across the street from the Wells Fargo Center where the Celtics are playing the Sixers, is Citizen's Bank Park - home to the Phillies. The Red Sox who have turned their season on a dime have beaten top competitors and have won 7-8 games in a row. Today (1:30pm start) the Sox will be trying to sweep the Phillies in their 3 game series and the result should be in by the time the Celtics get under way.
So Saturday Mazz visited Cora during batting practice to pick his brain ... not on playoff strategy but how to deal with the hype of the playoffs and family, friends & relatives.
Just for Pud ...
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Post by cole on May 7, 2023 13:14:55 GMT -5
Phili didn't tank game 3 like game 2 but they didn't kill themselves with effort. This early start should still favor us.
Even if they come out hot, gotta run them our of gas.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 14:15:50 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 14:23:59 GMT -5
Game 4: three things to watchBoston has a chance to take a commanding lead in the second round.By AdamTaylorNBA
The Boston Celtics could put themselves in pole position to progress onto the conference finals if they win their third straight game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday afternoon. Right now, the series is see-sawing between both sides. The Sixers claimed Game 1; the Celtics claimed Games 2 and 3. However, if Boston can make it three wins on the bounce, the narrative changes, and the countdown to the conference finals begins — alas, under our breath so as not to jinx anything. At this point, it feels like we’ve seen everything the Sixers have to offer. Boston took James Harden’s best punch in the opener, and since then, he has returned to his cryogenically frozen state. Joel Embiid literally stamped his mark on Game 3, and it made no difference except for a few stitches. Rest up, Grant Williams. If we’re being honest, the Sixers, for all of their off-season retooling, lack a bonafide sparkplug off the bench, and that is proving to be a considerable stumbling block for them to overcome. Of course, that issue is made tougher by the presence of Malcolm Brogdon, who has been a fearsome proposition off Boston’s bench. Still, if the NBA has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. So, here are three things to watch in Sunday’s game four contest.
Stick with what’s working
NBA: MAY 05 NBA Playoffs - Celtics at 76ers
Since Harden’s ‘Angels in the Outfield’ moment in the series opener, Joe Mazzulla has tasked Jaylen Brown with keeping the former superstar from having another big night. So far, that move has paid dividends, as Harden has resumed his role of being the Sixers' initiator rather than the guy who puts the team on his back — Boston will live with that. Brown’s size, length, and athleticism have proven to be a foil for Harden’s ability to operate as a pick-and-roll scorer, especially off of the drag screens which Philadelphia utilized to such devastating in Game 1. Capable of fighting through contact, exploding over or under the screener, and getting into Harden’s airspace on shot contests, Brown is playing a prominent role in subduing the former MVP. So, as the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Until the Sixers find a way to put Harden back in a position to make waves, keeping Brown as his primary defender makes all the sense in the world, especially if it continues to produce disjointed performances from the Sixers' primary creator.
What changes with Embiid?
NBA: MAY 05 NBA Playoffs - Celtics at 76ers
Joel Embiid is nowhere near 100%; that much is clear. Yet, in his first two games of the series, we’ve seen the Sixers look to utilize him on the perimeter, on the elbow, and in the mid-post — all of which have failed to produce significant results. Sure, the Celtics are notorious for the work they do on the 2023 MVP, but his lack of mobility, conditioning, and verticality are all hindering his impact, too. I would expect Doc Rivers to continue experimenting with how to situate Embiid for success. Will we see him become an elbow DHO threat like Bam Adebayo? A dump-off threat for easy buckets? Or will it be more of the same in the hope that another game's worth of conditioning will allow Embiid to tap into his basketball powers and come alive? When it comes to swing factors, there don’t come much bigger than Embiid and his ability to begin playing at the level we saw from him during the regular season and earlier in the playoffs. Yet, with Al Horford, Grant Williams, and Robert Williams all taking turns trying to slow him down, we might find that his tough reintegration into Philadelphia’s rotation continues in Game 4, or so we hope.
Controlling the pace
NBA: MAY 05 NBA Playoffs - Celtics at 76ers
In the last two games, the Celtics have controlled the pace of the game. They’ve run the break when they wanted to, slowed things down in the half-court when it pleased them, pressured the rim, and punished space on the perimeter. Frankly, it’s all gone Boston’s way, save for some inevitable runs. Nevertheless, we’ve seen what the Sixers are capable of when they control the tempo, especially if you have De’Anthony Melton and Tyrese Maxey sprinting the floor, looking to generate some early offense. As such, the Celtics should enter this game with a similar mindset to the last two: make them feel you. Let every possession be a reminder of your physicality and athleticism while you continue to display elite-level shot-making. Personally, I will be looking to Boston’s guard trio to control the tempo, read the defense, and look to punish whatever gaps present themselves. Of course, we can expect Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to also have a say in those proceedings during the possessions in which they bring the ball up court.
Final ThoughtsI’m really struggling to see where the Sixers go from here. When the Celtics are locked in and playing their best basketball, and Embiid is struggling for health and fitness, it appears that Boston is simply too talented for the Sixers to stop. Of course, Boston is capable of beating itself; they can be world-beaters one moment and ‘Cheddar Bob’ the next. This is why you would hope that the chance to go 3-1 up in a series against your rivals is enough to keep their eyes on the prize and motivate them to go out and put on a dominant display for the third straight game.
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Post by drboogiebone on May 7, 2023 14:38:11 GMT -5
Would be a big win if the C's can pull this one out.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 14:40:18 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 14:43:11 GMT -5
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Post by sfbosfan on May 7, 2023 14:44:49 GMT -5
Before the game starts I copy and paste this from the other series.
I hate the Lakers even before they got LeBron who has been a Celtic killer while with Cleveland and Miami. But, I think they would be a tougher match for us than the Warriors despite their victory late year when we didn't have Brogdon. Curry, unfortunately, got hot. Although he has Klay too when Curry doesn't get 30-40 they are not a big threat while we when Tatum done not score a lot have Brown, Brogdon, Horford & White.
GOD forbid we need face the Lakers again and lose. Philly has Embiid no one else like Davis and LeBron. I tell you, though, Miami looks tough....Butler is a warrior.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 14:45:35 GMT -5
Q1:
76ers lineup change (James Harden, Joel Embiid, P.J. Tucker, Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey)
Celtics lineup change (Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford)
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 14:48:53 GMT -5
JB already nailed with a cheap foul vs Harris ...
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 14:49:55 GMT -5
Refs seem intent on putting the C's in foul trouble early.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 14:51:35 GMT -5
Brown a quick start with 7pts but just whistled for a block on Embiid for his 2nd PF just 4 mins into the game!
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Post by cole on May 7, 2023 14:51:48 GMT -5
Refs seem intent on putting the C's in foul trouble early. Come on admin...no excuses. If we had hit every shot we would still be ahead.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 14:52:18 GMT -5
JB another 3 ... he has all 10 C's pts.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 14:53:07 GMT -5
I'm not talking offense ... get Brown in trouble and Harden has his way ... Refs know that.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 14:54:13 GMT -5
Brown again off the bounce pass to the baseline for the throw down!
Other than the White layup, it's been all Jaylen. Can you lend a hand Jayson?
TIME OUT SIXERS ... 14-11 C's
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 15:01:00 GMT -5
Bounce pass to JT broken up ... Al with the block of Harden at other end.
Al & Tatum both miss 3's on same possession ... nice job on Offensive Glass! Tatum front rims another! Al on the OR is fouled by P.J. - Al makes 2-2 ... 16-15 Celtics
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 15:01:44 GMT -5
76ers lineup change (James Harden, Joel Embiid, De'Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey)
Celtics lineup change (Derrick White, Grant Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford)
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 15:02:31 GMT -5
Tatum fouls Harden ...
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 15:03:23 GMT -5
76ers lineup change (James Harden, Joel Embiid, De'Anthony Melton, Georges Niang, Tyrese Maxey)
Celtics lineup change (Derrick White, Grant Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, Jayson Tatum, Robert Williams III)
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 15:04:38 GMT -5
Wow ... with shot clock running out, White nails a long three.
Grant fouled by Niang
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Post by cole on May 7, 2023 15:07:49 GMT -5
Doc days he can post in any thread but this one
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 15:11:51 GMT -5
76ers lineup change (Joel Embiid, De'Anthony Melton, Georges Niang, Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey) White blocked by Maxey Rob TOV ... pass OOB Celtics lineup change (Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Grant Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, Jayson Tatum) A Niang 3 and all Embiid since gives Sixers their biggest lead of the entire series at 8pts
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 15:13:40 GMT -5
Doc days he can post in any thread but this one
It was locked ... maybe he logged on under the lock.
If he opens a new tab he s/b able to post since it's open now but I'll refresh from my end as well.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2023 15:16:22 GMT -5
I unlocked it when I saw your first post and posted the link to the new thread but somehow it was locked again.
I just unlocked again ... s/b good to go!
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