10 takeaways from the Celtics picking apart the Sixers

There are video games like this one the place the technique is so apparent, you begin to really feel unhealthy for the focused participant. That’s how I felt after the primary quarter of this sport towards the Sixers. As quickly because the ball was within the Celtics’ fingers, the purpose was to assault Joël Embiid’s lack of mobility.

With numerous setups, the Celtics went on the 2023 MVP relentlessly and generated good pictures out of it. At first, Joël Embiid was on the display screen degree, so the Celtics used that towards him and drove deep into the paint.

To keep away from opening the driving lane, the 76ers adjusted their strategy, preserving Joël Embiid in a drop the place he remained low within the paint to guard the rim. This, in flip, led to pull-up triples.

As a result of the Celtics are so good at attacking drop protection, the 76ers needed to discover one other different. They tried a 2-3 zone with Paul George on the prime to comprise the drive and use his size. Nevertheless, this alignment was problematic as a result of the backline consisted of Yabusele, Embiid, and Maxey—three defensive targets who both lack mobility, size, or each.

Later within the sport, Nick Nurse had Joël Embiid swap on screens, however this solely gave Jayson Tatum the chance to make him dance—harking back to Sport 6 in 2023, the place Tatum took over to increase the collection to a Sport 7.

Protected to say, Joël Embiid doesn’t have the identical defensive affect he used to have. Worse, it typically feels just like the protection is best when he’s off the ground. Nevertheless, his backups are simply as problematic defensively.

#2 – Defensive assignments

On the opposite finish of the courtroom, the Celtics had been ready to match up with the Sixers. The purpose was to make entry passes to Joël Embiid as troublesome as doable, placing a physique between him and the ball. Anybody on the workforce might tackle this position so long as it disrupted the offensive move.

As soon as Embiid had the ball, the Celtics most well-liked to have Jrue Vacation or Kristaps Porzingis defending him. Mixing up defensive matchups towards Embiid was essential as a result of variety of fouls he generates. By rotating defenders, the Celtics prevented early foul bother.

Off-ball, the Celtics deliberate to double Joël Embiid, however not with the participant one cross away.

The purpose was to drive Embiid to surrender the ball whereas making it troublesome for him to seek out an open teammate. The extra sophisticated the cross, the extra time the Celtics needed to rotate off-ball and comprise the opposite 4 gamers. Nevertheless, it didn’t work nicely at first.

#3 – Early defensive breakdowns

Early on, the Celtics lacked self-discipline and couldn’t cease the Sixers’ offense round Joël Embiid. They allowed entry passes too simply, and their assist protection was too simple to beat.

With Embiid’s post-up gravity drawing consideration, the Sixers had been capable of reduce into house and punish the Celtics’ lack of defensive self-discipline, producing simple pictures on the rim or open threes. Regardless of suboptimal spacing, they discovered methods to use the protection.

To shrink the ground and add measurement, the Celtics rapidly turned to their double-big lineup—the place Luke Kornet was key in slowing down the 76ers’ offense.

#4 – Kornet’s rim safety

Regardless of taking part in on Kristaps Porzingis’ workforce and going up towards Joël Embiid, Luke Kornet might need been one of the best rim protector final night time. One play particularly highlighted his defensive efficiency within the first half.

Matched up towards Kelly Oubre, who attacked from a pick-and-pop motion, Kornet—a seven-footer—went underneath the display screen, used his size, and positioned himself completely to fulfill Oubre on the rim. He disrupted the layup, turning the play right into a transition alternative. Spectacular!

At any time when he was on the ground, the protection felt extra strong. Whether or not taking part in off-ball as a security or on-ball containing drives and post-ups, Kornet was a key think about slowing down the Sixers’ offense.

His skill to guard the rim provides the Celtics a novel benefit, making certain they’ve a robust inside defender on the ground for all 48 minutes. When Porzingis sits, Kornet continues to offer super defensive worth.

#5 – New variation from sideline actions

For those who’ve learn a few of my earlier 10 takeaways, I get pleasure from analyzing the Celtics’ new twists on their basic sideline actions this season. If not, right here’s a fast recap: the Celtics wish to run stagger actions from the baseline or sideline—basically, two screens set for an off-ball participant.

First, they ran it for Jaylen Brown. As an alternative of going above each screens, he first went underneath, then above, dragging Embiid as excessive as doable. Following the off-ball display screen, Porzingis popped to the three-point line whereas Brown dove to an open rim.

The following play was a basic—two screens producing an open three for Payton Pritchard. He ran above the Hauser and Kornet screens, leaving Grimes too far behind when he acquired the ball.

Within the final instance, they took it a step additional. Pritchard baited Grimes into the display screen however then reduce to the rim, permitting Sam Hauser to make use of the Kornet display screen as an alternative. This created confusion and compelled a swap. Kornet rolled inside, dragging Oubre with him, leaving Pritchard extensive open once more.

Chess, not checkers.

#6 – JT & Kornet synergy

Talking of offensive motion, the synergy between Luke Kornet and Jayson Tatum is a pleasure to look at. We’ve grow to be accustomed to their pick-and-roll motion, however they added a brand new wrinkle final night time with a two-man sport that tricked Paul George.

Kornet’s passing, rim-finishing skill, and robust screens complement Jayson Tatum’s scoring, ball-handling, and off-ball motion completely.

#7 – Coping with Maxey’s dilemma

Maxey as soon as once more proved troublesome for the Celtics to comprise. His velocity allowed him to get to the rim too simply, and the Celtics had been typically caught off guard by how rapidly he moved. The younger guard has additionally improved his passing, making him even tougher to decelerate.

But, the Celtics’ offense seemed its greatest when he was on the ground. Like Darius Garland or Damian Lillard, Maxey is a defensive goal for each participant on the courtroom. Whether or not it was Derrick White, Jrue Vacation, and even Al Horford, all of them attacked him and took benefit of his defensive weaknesses.

This raises the query: how a lot worth does Maxey deliver towards the Celtics if he’s always being focused—regardless of his skill to break down defenses on the opposite finish?

#8 – Fireworks

A staggering 58% of the Celtics’ shot makes an attempt had been threes, they usually transformed 44% of them—unstoppable. Seven totally different gamers hit a number of triples. Some nights, the Celtics simply look unbeatable.

#9 – Out-hustled

The Celtics typically get overwhelmed by groups that outwork them. Final night time, they dominated the Sixers with their vitality—and this play was an important instance. Al Horford saved the ball for the primary offensive rebound, then scored off a second one.

The Sixers seemed damaged. Regardless of having a robust roster on paper, they merely couldn’t match the Celtics’ vitality and expertise.

#10 – Pritch please

For the 18th time this season, Payton Pritchard made greater than 5 three-pointers in a sport. The long run Sixth Man of the 12 months introduced unbelievable vitality and spacing. Alongside Kornet, he was the difference-maker final night time.

The Celtics initially struggled to construct a giant lead, however Pritchard’s capturing and talent to generate chaos rapidly killed the 76ers’ hopes. His knack for creating defensive mayhem makes him invaluable. He brings a spark that the beginning 5 typically lacks, producing extra motion than another Celtics participant—an enormous asset.