Boston Celtics game three recap and takeaways 8/21

 

                                                                                                                          Photo credit: masslive.com

  With Boston being up 2-0 it was make or break for the Philadelphia 76ers to take the third game and make this a competitive series. Unfortunately for the Sixers they chose to shoot the ball at a low percentage all game having shot 28 of 95, 29%! If there was ever a game the Sixers had a chance of taking, it was this one. Joel Embiid again came out ultra aggressive against Boston and had himself another solid game, doing most of his damage in the first half, Embiid finished the game with 30 points, 13 rebounds on 7 of 20 and went to the line 16 times, making 14. Like the other two previous games, as the game went on and got closer to the end, the less and less productivity we seen out of Embiid. Boston by far played its worst game of the series and still managed to close it out and go up 3-0. Boston couldn’t find an offensive rhythm all game up until late in the fourth quarter, Jayson Tatum had three quick fouls in first quarter thanks to Scott Foster. In the second quarter Tatum did not play a single minute because of his foul trouble, take that with Gordon Hayward sidelined and Celtics not playing their traditional brand of basketball, Boston should feel very pleased with the way they were able to close out the game. Largely thanks to Kemba Walker, hitting key baskets in the fourth to keep the Sixers from a come back win. One play late in the fourth Kemba brought out his signature move, the step back, against none other than ex Celtic , Al Horford, here it is at the 34 second mark: https://youtu.be/iCmfHNCywfw This was a huge bucket for the Cs, with Tatum not having his normal dominant game and the team searching for anything offensively down the stretch, “Cardiac Kemba” took the game into his hands and made sure the Celtics got the victory, Kemba finished with a team high 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists on 10 of 20 shooting, 50%.  Playoff games aren’t going to always be pretty and if there is a way to still win the game while only having 15 assists to 10 turnovers or being out rebounded by a difference of 12 and by 13 with offensive rebounds. The Cs also shot 26% from three, luckily the Sixers came out shooting just as awful, if the Celtics can play this badly and still come out on top, look for them to have a much better game and close out the series tomorrow at 1pm ET, below are my takes from last nights game. 

Gordon Hayward

This was the first game since Gordon’s injury where his absence was quite noticeable. Yes the Celtics had a terrible offensive game but that is the reason I think Gordon was truly missed yesterday. Of course the Celtics won’t shoot 26% from three very often or even the 41% from the field, but in doing so yesterday, a player like Gordon Hayward would have been perfect to get the ball popping around the court more, and gives the Cs another guy who can go one on one to get a basket or usually and even more importantly find the open man, make two commit and kick. Hayward would have been huge to have yesterday with how stale the offense was, say Gordon played and shot the ball just as bad as the rest of the team, that still is keeping the defense honest with his continued attack mentality he’s shown in the bubble. I don’t think game three will be the last time we wish Gordon was healthy and playing, especially looking ahead to a potential Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics round 2 matchup.

Kemba Walker

 It’s hard not to route for a guy like Kemba, the best teammate and leader the Celtics could ask for and someone who can close out a playoff game when things are looking murky. Kemba Walkers fourth quarter felt like every bit of why Kemba chose to take his talents to Boston. After the game in a post game interview on NBCSBoston, Kemba spoke on his first playoffs for Boston “This is why I came here, I never been up 3-0 but it’s not over” Kemba carried the Celtics down the stretch with Jayson and Jaylen not having their usual games, this was a big sign for the Cs getting Kemba Walker back in rhythm coming off of a prior minutes restriction before the series began. Look for Kemba and the Celtics to take care of business and finish it out tomorrow. 

Philadelphia’s guys they miss:

 Philly had the opportunity to go take game 3 but couldn’t execute down the stretch to finish it out. Throughout the series and in game three the Sixers looked to rely heavily on Embiid. Although the lack of conditioning and discipline to his diet, Embiid has put up really good numbers that being said he could use help from his teammates, specifically Tobias Harris who is making 5 yrs 180,000,000 is averaging a mere 14 points and two turnovers per game. Not the numbers you want one of your max players to have after three straight losses. Everyone gave Jimmy Butler hell for leaving Philadelphia last summer and joining Miami, what Philly made the mistake of doing was paying a Harris like he is a max contract player. The Sixers had a defensive stopper and leader in Jimmy and decided to go another direction. Another player from last season Philly I’m sure is missing is JJ Reddick. Reducing provided much needed floor spacing for the Sixers, even on nights where JJ didn’t have it going, the simple fact the defense had to respect him and chase him around was key to open the floor for Embiid and currently injured Ben Simmons. Switching Reddick’s 3pt sharpshooting game for Josh Richardson and more Harris has not been effective or successful for the Sixers. Look for major changes to Philly if the Celtics can close this series out and sweep.