Everyone has been looking forward to the showdown of the season, the beasts of the east, a matchup that never gets old… the Boston Celtics vs the Philadelphia 76ers. The two teams have dominated the Eastern Conference over the past few years, and this first season matchup gave us insight into what to expect more throughout the season.
The game started off with Boston, outscoring the 76ers 27-22 in the first quarter. However, towards the end of the game, Philadelphia managed to outdo the Celtics 99- 87, turning the tables. As the 76ers sealed their 6 game winning streak with a tight game of 106-103, Boston sulked off the court. What does this show about Philadelphia’s tenacity? What happened to Boston?
Joel Embiid has had a major impact on the 76ers this season, it’s like Harden was never there! "We still have a long journey ahead," remarked Embiid afterward, "but we're heading in the right direction."
Embiid put up impressive stats, contributing 27 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals for Philadelphia (6-1). The team has secured six consecutive victories after a narrow loss in Milwaukee at the start of the season. However, the 76ers' closing performance left a bitter taste for Embiid. Despite holding a seemingly comfortable 102-87 lead, their largest of the game with 3:44 remaining, Boston managed a spirited 16-4 run, bringing the game close to heading into overtime.
On the stat sheet, at least. Embiid found himself occasionally defended by former Sixer Al Horford (still not a fan favorite) and, surprisingly, even by the much smaller Holiday in the post. In a stretch during the first quarter, Embiid showcased a spin move around Holiday, resulting in a one-handed dunk. However, subsequent possessions saw him miss a shot and commit a turnover.
Embiid expressed his anticipation of being guarded by Holiday, saying, "I was expecting it." He critiqued the team's response, highlighting a lack of quick reactions to exploit potential high-low plays. Embiid noted the need for adjustments in the upcoming games, anticipating similar defensive strategies. He emphasized the team's need to react faster, move the ball swiftly, and avoid getting stuck in offensive plays.
Despite the star player he is, Embiid always finds ways to improve, hoping to make it to the NBA Finals this year.
The Celtics, on the other hand, put up an outstanding performance in the 4th quarter, just unable to seal the win. But that wasn't the case the whole game. For the second consecutive night, the Celtics faced offensive challenges, squandering a double-digit lead and fell short in a defeat against the 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Despite Derrick White's return after a two-game absence, Boston, at full strength, couldn't overcome their offensive struggles. The team remained below 40 percent shooting for the second night in a row and struggled with accuracy from beyond the arc, shooting at a 31 percent rate.
Joel Embiid believes the Sixers could have played better, highlighting a need for improved reactions to defensive strategies and quicker ball movement. He suggests adjustments for upcoming games, anticipating similar challenges. As for the Celtics, their offensive struggles continue, and for any shot at the finals, there's a consensus that they must elevate their performance, particularly in terms of shooting accuracy and overall offensive efficiency.
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