The Boston Celtics lost Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, walking away with a 119-115 defeat to a Philadelphia 76ers team missing its best player. Boston’s offense may have been red hot for most of the evening, but listless defense and unforced errors allowed Philadelphia a chance to hang around. That, plus a 45-point performance from James Harden kept the game close right until the final horn, all
The Sixers were without All-Star center Joel Embiid, who is dealing with a knee injury. His absence was sorely felt on both ends of the floor for Philly, something Boston took full advantage of, and the Celtics had 66 points in the paint. (Embiid’s status for Game 2 remains unclear.) Despite Embiid’s absence, however Boston couldn’t get out of its own way. The Celtics coughed up 16 turnovers, resulting in 20 points for the Sixers.
With the loss, Philadelphia has functionally earned home court advantage for the rest of the series, a devastating blow for a Boston team hungry to find redemption for last season’s transgressions. Here’s what you may have missed from the Celtics 119-115 Game 1 loss.
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown preparing for Philadelphia 76ers with or without Joel Embiid https://t.co/eGw3bOHPxh
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 1, 2023
Boston's offense
The Celtics came out with purpose, attacking a much smaller Philadelphia roster. Boston shot 17-for-20 from the field in the opening quarter alone, relentlessly attacking the rim. Boston’s 40 points in the paint in the first half is the highest mark in the entire NBA this season. The Celtics should have won the game handily.
Instead, unforced errors plagued Boston. Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown together combined for 10 turnovers, kneecapping any chance for the Celtics to capitalize on their hot shooting. In fact, Boston’s effective field goal percent was 65%, the highest mark in a losing effort in NBA postseason history.
This is a familiar story for the Celtics, and represents a major barrier between the team and its ultimate goal. Boston may have the talent to go the distance, but turnovers and silly errors remain a major concern.
The 2023 NBA offseason could very well bring duck boats – but it could also see Grant Williams leave Boston. https://t.co/LOL20HD5vY
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 1, 2023
Boston's defense
Boston’s defense left a lot to be desired for much of the game. The Celtics seemed especially challenged by James Harden, who finished with 45 points on a tidy 17-for-30 performance from the field. Though the former MVP only had 6 assists, the amount of gravity he created for the Sixers is hard to overstate.
This was, perhaps, a self-inflicted wound. The Celtics often went under screens, granting Harden open looks from deep. Likewise, they double-teamed him quite often, something that radically changed Boston’s defensive calculus.
In the end, the Celtics were either unable or unwilling to make the right adjustment and neutralize Harden. A few explosive stretches from Tyrese Maxey and an efficient night from Tobias Harris was enough to keep the Sixers in the game while Boston self-destructed.
Boston keeping an eye on the potential prospects available to be selected with the Celtics pick in the second round of this year’s draft. https://t.co/pflnwg5RVZ
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 1, 2023
Looking ahead
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals will be played Wednesday night in Boston. At the time of this writing, Joel Embiid’s status is unknown, and remains the largest x-factor for the entire series.
Blowing this game is certainly a hard pill to swallow for Celtics fans and players alike. Still, Boston has more depth than Philadelphia, meaning a long series should favor the guys in green. Likewise, the Celts had one of the best road records in the NBA this season.
In the end, it was about as frustrating a loss as you could imagine for Boston. How the Celtics respond will be quite revealing.
Per one NBA analyst, every other player could be on the table in a big enough deal. https://t.co/1ABZoXI0I8
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 1, 2023
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