Inside The Celtics

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 2 Win vs. Sixers: Renewed Defensive Commitment, Three-Point Barrage Even the Series

With their backs against the wall, the Celtics delivered a stellar two-way performance to even their series with the Sixers.

Bobby Krivitsky

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
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The Celtics repeatedly said their backs were against the wall and they had to come out and send a message in Game 2.

They did so by getting back to playing to their potential defensively. Boston played with a ferocity that stymied the Sixers, limiting Philadelphia to 87 points on 39.2 percent shooting, including 6/30 (20 percent) from three-point range. The visitors also committed 13 turnovers, leading to 13 points for the hosts.

Consistently getting stops allowed the Celtics to maintain an up-tempo approach offensively, translating to quality looks beyond the arc. They drilled 20/51 (39.2 percent) of their threes. 

Whereas the Sixers made seven more shots behind the arc in the series opener and Boston took 12 fewer long-range attempts, the pendulum swung in favor of the defending Eastern Conference champions in Game 2.

While there's luck involved in shooting variance, the Celtics delivered an outstanding two-way performance Wednesday, doing everything one could ask from them to create high-quality shots that the Basketball Gods rewarded, repeatedly sending them swishing through the net.

Now, a deep dive into Boston's bounce-back game, protecting the parquet and tying the series as it heads to Philadelphia.

1. Joel Embiid demonstrated good short-area burst, exemplified by his five blocks, but had trouble covering much ground. Boston kept him involved in actions, and by constantly pushing the pace, the hosts tested his ability to keep up, reducing his impact on the outcome.

The Sixers' star center finished with 15 points on 4/9 shooting, doing most of his damage at the free-throw line, earning eight attempts and making seven. He also had the stamina to play over nine minutes in the second and third quarters, logging 27 in his series debut.  

Playing long shifts is an encouraging sign, but if his range remains limited, it's a massive problem for the Sixers on defense.

2. Jaylen Brown set the tone for the Celtics in their series-tying win by matching up with James Harden from the opening tip and preventing him from getting comfortable after a hot start translated to a 45-point eruption in Game 1.

While guarding Harden for the game's first 6:13, Brown limited him to one shot, which got the former to the free-throw line, where he earned his only point in that stretch. The two-time All-Star continued living in Harden's jersey all night, often picking him up at half-court or beyond, sometimes meeting him as he received the inbound pass.

Brown was excellent at both ends, generating a game-high 25 points, and his four assists matched Harden, Robert Williams, and Grant Williams for the most in the matchup.

3. After being Boston's best point-of-attack defender against James Harden in Game 1, as illustrated in a film study highlighting how the Celtics can recalibrate their defense to even the series, Malcolm Brogdon also drew that assignment for much of Game 2.

The Sixth Man of the Year again utilized his size, strength, mobility, and basketball IQ to challenge the former MVP, whose trouble shaking Brown and Brogdon resulted in entering halftime with 11 points on ten shots. He also went 0/5 from three, had one attempt blocked by Brogdon, and while not credited with any turnovers in the first 24 minutes, Harden coughed the ball up multiple times.

However, the three-time scoring champion grifted his way to the foul line -- a complement -- earning eight free throws and knocking down seven.

Still, the law firm of Brogdon and Brown did well to limit Harden's impact in the first half. And at the other end, the former Virginia Cavalier produced ten points and four rebounds off the pine without committing any turnovers.

4. What stood out in a game is wide-ranging and sometimes includes individual plays and efforts worth highlighting. In the first half of Game 2, two instances exemplified Boston's effort and energy.

First, with less than a minute left in the opening frame, after De'Anthony Melton knocked the ball free from Jayson Tatum, Grant Williams earned a Tommy Point by going to the floor, where he ripped the rock and got it to Marcus Smart for a bucket behind the arc.

Then, in the second frame, after Al Horford swatted a Harden layup attempt, Derrick White swooped in at the other end to get the Celtics' elder statesman a second crack at a three that he buried.

5. The first half was a rock fight, with both teams scoring under 30 points in the first two quarters. The pace was slow, and the game was physical. But the difference-maker in Boston's 57-49 advantage was the hosts making eight threes to Philadelphia's one and the visitors taking nine fewer attempts.

6. The Celtics were at their best in the third frame. They've tended to start the second half sluggishly this season, but they came out of the break with tremendous energy.

Generating stops by maintaining a physical approach but limiting the Sixers to one trip to the foul line helped them maintain an up-tempo operation, consistently creating and burying quality looks beyond the arc.

Boston staged a 13-2 run to break the game open, forced four turnovers, and drilled 7/15 (46.7 percent) threes. The hosts outscored Philadelphia 35-16 in the period. They entered the final frame leading 92-65 and in firm control.

7. Brogdon, who knocked down 3/5 long-range attempts in the third quarter, drilling one above-the-break three after another, was outstanding on Wednesday.

Defensively, he and Brown continued containing Harden in the second half, limiting the latter to one point on 0/4 shooting from the field in a third quarter that Harden played in for 11:30.

With Doc Rivers asking the end of his bench to play the final 12 minutes, Harden's stat line featured 12 points on 2/14 shooting, including going 0/6 from behind the arc.

Offensively, Brogdon finished with 23 points on 7/15 shooting, including going 6/10 from three-point range.

8. Derrick White, another member of the Celtics' triumvirate of guards, also had an excellent game on Wednesday. He quietly starred in his role, staying on brand. But he had a significant impact on the outcome.

White registered 15 points on 5/9 shooting, went 3/6 behind the arc, made hustle plays like the offensive rebound that led to the Horford three referenced earlier, and helped Boston lockdown its rival at the other end.

9. Jayson Tatum played the entire second half of Game 1 and understandably looked fatigued by the end. While he finished with seven points on seven shots on Wednesday, the four-time All-Star only logging 19 minutes is a small victory within the Celtics' Game 2 win.

10. After Boston's 121-87 thrashing of its division rival, Joe Mazzulla said the Celtics were "angry, (and) pissed" for the last 48 hours. They played like it. The question is whether they can sustain what made them successful Wednesday when the series shifts to Philadelphia on Friday.

Up Next

Game 3 between the Celtics and Sixers is Friday night at Wells Fargo Center; tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. EST. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the matchup before, during, and afterward. And follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.

Further Reading

Film Room: Recalibrating Celtics' Defense for Game 2 Against Sixers

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Game Mismanagement Leading to Losing on the Margins and a Series-Opening Defeat to Sixers

Celtics Address Letting Guard Down in Game 1 Loss to Sixers Team Missing Joel Embiid

Jayson Tatum Reflects on Game 1 Loss to Philadelphia 76ers

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 1 Loss vs. Sixers: The Perplexing Defeats Have Become More Predictable

Jaylen Brown Discusses Celtics and Sixers Rivalry, Bill Russell's Legacy

Here's What We Know About the Celtics-Sixers Second-Round Schedule

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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