The Boston Celtics have extended their season with a 95-86 Game 6 victory on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers. The action swings back to Boston one last time, with a huge Game 7 slated for Sunday and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals on the line.
Jayson Tatum, who struggled mightily for much of the night, exploded in the fourth quarter, perhaps saving the Celtics from an early offseason. After an icy shooting night, he poured in four pivotal 3-pointers in the final frame to keep Boston ahead. Just one day removed from earning All-NBA honors, Tatum proved himself worthy of the moment, early shooting woes notwithstanding.
The Celtics led by 16 points at one point before a cold stretch in the third quarter gave the Sixers a window. From there, Boston looked poised to implode. With just enough defensive grit, however, the Celtics hung tough, providing an opportunity for Tatum to swoop in and force a Game 7. Here’s what you missed from Boston’s Game 6 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Could it be The Truth that it had nothing to do with a missed bathroom break after all? https://t.co/zFFkEjaP5W
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 11, 2023
Boston's offense
The headline for Boston was Jayson Tatum, who managed to erase a miserable shooting performance with the season on the line.Improbably the All-NBA forward went 0-for-10 shooting the ball in the first half before a clutch fourth quarter scoring outburst. Tatum ended the night with 19 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks.
Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown kept Boston’s offense afloat while Tatum (and Al Horford) really didn’t have it going for much of the night. Though Brown only had 17 points, his tenacity and willingness to attack the basket were critical for the Celtics. Marcus Smart was huge for the visiting team as well, providing stability and a bit of shooting.
Importantly, the Celtics got away with committing 18 turnovers. Coupled with just 5 points combined from Horford and Tatum through three quarters, Boston’s offense was choppy and inconsistent, and it really looked as if the team was going to come up short. Thankful for Celtics fans, Jayson Tatum had other plans.
For the Celtics and the analysts who cover it, it is never too early to try to think about the future structure of the ball club. https://t.co/xbmTLF55L4
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 11, 2023
Boston's defense
With the season on the ropes, coach Mazzulla opted for a change in his starting group. He paired Robert Williams III with Al Horford, something we’ve seen very little of this postseason. This gave the Celtics enough size and strength to dictate the terms of engagement early. Foul trouble and fatigue limited the sustainability of this approach, however.
Familiar faults began to set in for the Celtics defense. James Harden still took advantage of isolated big men. Joel Embiid still had his way with smaller defenders. The Celtics still doubled sparingly, something Philly’s star players were eager to exploit, as this left shooters wide open on the wing.
In the end, Boston’s defense showed plenty of bend, but it didn’t break. There were flaws, but the Celtics showed just enough poise and focus to overcome an awkward scoring effort. Allowing just 13 points in the fourth quarter is an equally impressive act of grit from the Celts, and underscores how important defense was to securing a victory.
Boston’s Grant WIlliams takes a major leap up the board in recent 2019 re-draft https://t.co/4c3DgRJ1Sf
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 11, 2023
Looking ahead
Game 7 is slated for Sunday in Boston. Despite major transgressions in this series, the Celtics have a chance to put the Sixers to bed on their home court. Regular season seeding still matters after all.
Boston can’t rely on another heroic performance from Jayson Tatum. The team needs to show more consistency and resolve on offense. It’s unlikely they can survive another lackluster night scoring the ball.
The team’s destiny ultimately depends on defense. It’s been the blueprint all season long, even with head coach Joe Mazzulla’s high octane offense. Such was the case in Game 6 and thus will need to be the case in Game 7 if Boston is to advance to another Eastern Conference Finals.
Jaylen Brown is quietly dominating the playoffs for the Boston Celtics https://t.co/3IA1Ede0vY
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 11, 2023
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