The Boston Celtics suffered a disappointing home loss in Game 2 and are headed to Philadelphia with the series tied. They remain the clear favorites, especially with Joel Embiid's return still unknown. Despite that, Boston can't afford the same mistakes it made in Game 2. A few minor adjustments by Joe Mazzulla should be enough to secure the road win in Game 3 and put the Celtics back in the driver's seat.
1. Less Nikola Vucevic
It has been obvious since he was acquired at the trade deadline that Vucevic isn't an upgrade over Luka Garza. Joe Mazzulla's desire to get him going is understandable. On paper, Vucevic has some offensive juice that adds a different element to the Celtics' offense. In reality, he hasn't been making enough of his shots since arriving in Boston. He is too inefficient to overcome his defensive deficiencies.
This isn't to say that Garza should play over Vucevic. The former Iowa Hawkeyes standout brings similar defensive concerns. Instead, the Celtics can deploy smaller lineups. Vucevic and Garza could still get some minutes, maybe only in the first half, but the Celtics should rely more on Neemias Queta and smaller groups. That could mean Jayson Tatum or Jordan Walsh at five, as the Sixers don't have any centers who strike fear into Boston's defense with their ability to put the ball in the bucket.
2. More Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman
The Celtics need to play with more intensity and pressure on the defensive side of the ball. It was too easy for the Sixers guards in Game 2. Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe walked into their off-the-dribble jumpers without much resistance at the point of attack.
Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman are two of the best point-of-attack defenders on the Celtics. Gonzalez has barely played in this series, and Scheierman is averaging 13 minutes per game. Given that Scheierman has made his 3-pointers this season, he is worth an expanded role. Gonzalez, as a wild card who can create chaos on defense and on the boards, could give the Celtics a boost in intensity when the series goes to Philly.
3. Make Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe Work Harder
Boston's inability to stop Maxey and Edgecombe was the main reason for the loss. They combined for 48 attempts and went 11/22 from beyond the arc. While the two are unlikely to shoot as well as they did in Game 2, the Celtics have to do a better job at making them work for their shots.
The way to do so is to change their coverage. Boston was completely fine with giving Philadelphia these off-the-dribble looks because it wanted to keep Philadelphia's centers close to the basket. Boston can't go to Philadelphia with the same defensive scheme. The deep drop coverage has to go.
The Celtics can choose to switch everything or blitz Maxey and Edgecombe to get the ball out of their hands. It's not like the Sixers have a ton of other high-level offensive creators. Tire out Maxey and Edgecombe, force them to give up the rock, and see if the rest of the Sixers can beat them.
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