It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t even expected. In just 5 games, the Boston Celtics defeated the favored 76ers to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Boston Celtics are in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second year in a row. I feel like I have to keep saying that for it to sink in. After every unfortunate circumstance and some terrible luck, the Celtics still came through.
In my series prediction against the Bucks, I tentatively took the Celtics in 6. They won in 7, but looked terrible on the road. Any matchup in round two did not look promising.
I predicted that the 76ers would win in 6 games. I didn’t see how the Celtics could score while at the same time defending Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid well enough to win. Yet, they moved on in just 5 games.
Like many others, I underestimated the Celtics and overestimated the Sixers. It’s only fitting, now that the Boston Celtics have won, to recognize why Boston is moving on.
Al Horford countering Joel Embiid (mention Aron Baynes)
By no means did Al Horford put up better numbers than Joel Embiid. Al had a combined 77 points, 43 rebounds, 17 assists, 9 steals, 6 blocks, and shot 56 percent. Embiid finished his five games with 115 points, 80 rebounds, 18 assists, 3 steals, 6 blocks, and shot 44 percent.
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The biggest part of this battle was when the points came and how hard each player had to work. Horford was as reliable as could be in the fourth quarter, serving as a insurance policy down in the low post. By no means did the offense revolve around him, but it was always there if the Celtics needed it. When they went to Horford down the stretch, he delivered with his suddenly unstoppable post hook.
Embiid, on the other hand, was not as effective. Sure, he scored way more than Horford, but on way more touches. Some possessions for Philly for post ups for Embiid, that was it. If he scored, it was a positive outcome. If he missed, (again, he shot 44 percent from the field) it was a one and done possession. That almost never happened with Horford.
The other part of this is that Embiid was clearly tired in the fourth quarter. Horford drove by Embiid easily several times. Aron Baynes, who also deserves a good amount of credit for limiting Embiid, was able to stop him without too much trouble. All series, Baynes and Horford never gave a clear path to the basket. They stayed in front of Embiid, forcing plenty of tough shots that usually missed.
Al Horford was the most important player of the series for the Celtics, maybe even both teams. he doesn’t deserve any backlash or slander until he isn’t trying on defense or making plays on offense. Until then, every Boston Celtics fan should love Playoff Al.
Jayson Tatum continuing his clutch scoring
Jayson Tatum is the number one option on a team going to the Eastern Conference Finals. He is also a rookie. In the history of the NBA, these two things have almost always been mutually exclusive.
What Tatum, and Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell, have done in this years playoffs has been incredible to watch. In the fourth quarter and OT, the Celtics turned to Tatum. In Game 3, it was finishing over Joel Embiid to stay afloat in overtime. For Game 5, it was Tatum at the helm to hold off the 76ers in the final minutes.
When the game is on the line, there is no one who doesn’t expect or wish against him to have the ball. At just 20, he is not scared to take shots. He isn’t going to stand in the corner while an experienced veteran commands the ball. Tatum has attacked all postseason and should have no reason not to in the upcoming series.
The constant hounding of JJ Redick
Now, on to the defense, and a very good one at that. In the regular season, the Celtics ranked first in team defense. Against Philadelphia, they showed why.
JJ Redick, Philly’s three point specialist and potential X-factor, never quite got it going. It wasn’t any fault of Redick. All series, every player on the court was aware of where number 17 was. Coming off screens, he was double teamed or swarmed. Off the ball, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier were adept at chasing him around. Even on the ball off handoffs, Redick barely got an open shot.
When Redick got a wide open three to put the Sixers up 5 in Game 5, he missed. After being hounded all game, frustrated after missed shots and turnovers, he seemed to get in his own head. Even when he was open, the Boston Celtics had JJ Redick locked up. His impact was not allowed to be felt.
Swarming Ben Simmons in the paint
The defense on Ben Simmons was the top priority heading into the series. He killed Miami against any defensive opponent or style. But against Boston, the train came to a crashing halt.
Simmons was not awful against Boston, but he looked like a rookie in the playoffs. 1 point in Game 2, a missed dunk in Game 3, simple mistakes that will go away over time. Yet, the Celtics defense still deserves a ton of credit.
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When Simmons drove in the paint, someone was there to double or triple team. Usually it was Horford, who could inch off Embiid to help while still manning the passing lanes. Marcus Smart was incredible in the post when Philly tried to take a size advantage, and Tatum and Brown held their own on the ball.
With Simmons in check, Redick in check, and Horford doing enough to limit Embiid’s impact, who was left? Dario Saric had a few moments, but nothing crazy. TJ McConnell had his one game, but that was quickly corrected in Game 5. Robert Covington looked miserable in 15 out of 20 quarters. Amir Johnson? Dare I even say Markelle Fultz?
Obviously, Brad Stevens is a genius. He is the best coach in the NBA. Whether instantly or eventually, he made all the right adjustments to move on in the playoffs. Now, he is reaping the rewards. Stevens performance in the playoffs this year has his name on the lips of every NBA media member. Everything I just mentioned all comes back to him.
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Now, the Boston Celtics will face the Cavaliers, a less talented, but exponentially more experienced team. But there is no reason to be scared. Boston is ready, bring it on.