Jayson Tatum appears to be hitting his stride, perfectly timed for the Celtics’ anticipated deep playoff push.
The Philadelphia 76ers must deliver a strong performance in Game 2 to inject competitiveness into their opening-round series against the Boston Celtics.
While a victory isn’t strictly essential for Tuesday’s match (7 ET, Peacock/NBC Sports), it’s crucial for them to ensure it’s a contested four-quarter affair with a significant conclusion.
Game 1 saw none of this unfold, as Boston secured an effortless win, leaving the Sixers facing not only the formidable Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown but also the weight of expectations. This logical disadvantage could be more impactful, fostering uncertainty.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla will undoubtedly continue to caution his team against complacency, stressing that the Sixers are formidable opponents and any overconfidence or misstep could lead to difficulties – a common tactic for coaches holding a significant lead. Meanwhile, Nick Nurse will have to deploy every psychological strategy at his disposal to inspire the Sixers.
A profound boost for both Philly and the series would materialize if Nurse could somehow facilitate Joel Embiid’s return to play.
Key aspects to observe in Tuesday’s Game 2 include:
1. Celtics’ Defensive Focus on Maxey
The equation is straightforward: if the Celtics effectively impede Tyrese Maxey’s scoring, they simultaneously hinder the Sixers’ path to victory. Their evident strategy involves deploying numerous defenders against Maxey, forcing him to expend considerable energy. The goal is to exhaust him, potentially frustrate him, and ensure he has minimal stamina remaining for the final quarter.
Should this approach prove effective, the onus will fall on Maxey’s teammates to compensate with scoring – a risk the Celtics are more than willing to accept. Can VJ Edgecombe, a promising but inexperienced rookie in his inaugural playoff series, handle the responsibility of high-volume shooting?
What about Kelly Oubre Jr., who has typically played a supporting role throughout his career? Beyond Maxey, is there another player both eager and, more critically, capable of posing a significant challenge to the Celtics?
Paul George, given his extensive experience in such situations, would be the logical choice. However, he hasn’t embodied that leadership role since arriving in Philadelphia.
Furthermore, in an attempt to activate alternative scoring avenues, the Sixers attempted many three-pointers in Game 1 but only converted 2 of 16.
Consequently, the Celtics can assign Brown and Derrick White to Maxey, compelling him to relinquish possession, and then challenge other Sixers players to take shots, accepting whatever outcome follows.
This entire defensive strategy is feasible due to Embiid’s absence, as he may not participate in this series.
The defensive approach against the Sixers would be entirely reconfigured if Embiid were healthy, but since he isn’t, it remains unchanged.
2. Tatum’s Performance Continuation
Jayson Tatum’s near triple-double (25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists) combined with Jaylen Brown’s 26 points propelled the Celtics to a Game 1 triumph against the 76ers.
In his most recent two playoff appearances, Tatum first suffered an Achilles injury (last spring) and then, remarkably, almost achieved a triple-double (last Saturday).
Clearly, these represent dramatically contrasting results, and fortuitously for the Celtics, he’s showing significant improvement after almost a year of recovery.
What can be expected in Game 2? With every impactful display, Tatum further distances himself from his surgery, enhancing the Celtics’ status as Eastern Conference favorites. The dynamic duo of Tatum and Brown operating seamlessly as a tag team against opponents, supplemented by the supporting cast’s contributions, undoubtedly strengthens Boston’s championship credentials.
In this particular series, where the Sixers are unlikely to pose a substantial challenge, Tatum has an opportunity to further boost his confidence and prepare for more formidable opposition, assuming the Celtics’ progression, which appears inevitable short of a catastrophic event.
3. Can the Series Be Squared at 1-1?
This outcome appears improbable, particularly following the Celtics’ dominant 32-point Game 1 victory, leading from start to finish. However, the playoffs are known for surprises.
Unpredictable events can and do occur.
The Sixers’ most promising opportunity for a win will likely come when the series moves to Philadelphia. Nevertheless, certain factors could potentially trigger a major upset in Boston on Tuesday, if they materialize:
• A dip in Tatum’s performance. This isn’t an unreasonable scenario. His play has been inconsistent since his return, and Game 2 could see him less impactful. While Boston navigated the season well without him, a spirited Sixers effort combined with a quiet Tatum could spell trouble.
• The Celtics’ long-range shots fail to connect. This team is known for its prolific three-point attempts, averaging 44 per game – it’s ingrained in their style. However, if their shooting goes cold: Their 36% regular-season accuracy is respectable but far from exceptional. Only Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard stand out as elite shooters.
• Philadelphia delivers a performance demonstrating their season is on the line. Indeed, it is, as falling to a 2-0 deficit would necessitate winning four of the next five games to secure the series. Thus, this game holds immense importance for Philly.
• Embiid makes an unexpected, miraculous comeback. A fervent wish for Sixers supporters.
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Shaun Powell’s NBA coverage spans back to 1985. Reach him via e-mail at [email protected]m, explore his past articles here and connect with him on X.