Welcome to the Series that Nobody Wants to Win
Throughout their second round series bout, the Celtics and 76ers could have ended things earlier. Instead, both sides have to play a game 7.
If we’re being honest, a game 7 between the Celtics and the 76ers shouldn’t be happening. Both teams have had real chances to end the series before this point. While this season has included some classic games, including Philadelphia’s game four overtime comeback, neither side has taken this series by the horns. And now, it all comes down to a do-or-die game that could drastically change the future of both franchises.
Missed Opportunities
This series has been defined by missed opportunities for both sides. In almost every other game, each side has had a chance to deliver the killing blow. But nobody has been good or consistent enough to put the other one away. And it’s been incredibly frustrating.
After the 76ers won game one on the road without Joel Embiid, the Celtics responded swiftly. They started to get into the 76ers defensively. Embiid was still recovering from his knee injury. Boston dominated game two and then won game three on the road. At that point, it looked like the series was over.
Not only had the Celtics recaptured homecourt advantage, it didn’t seem like the 76ers could beat them when they were locked in. If Boston played with pace and kept Philly in front of them defensively, it was going to be nearly impossible. Joel Embiid playing like an All-Star instead of an MVP wasn’t helping matters.
With a chance to go up 3-1 in game four, Joe Mazzulla’s team did what they always do: come out flat. Philadelphia was getting whatever they wanted offensively. With a little over four minutes left in the third quarter, Boston found themselves down by 16.
But the game was far from over. You see, Philadelphia also doesn’t know how to put their opponents away. In the middle of the fourth quarter, Philly didn’t score for nearly four minutes. The Celtics went on a 10-0 run in that time to steal the lead.
With 2:04 left in the fourth, the Celtics led by five. They had seemingly stolen the game and the series from under the 76ers’ noses. If we freeze-frame that moment, the series should have been over. A 3-1 series lead didn’t seem like something Philadelphia could recover from. It would be another blemish on Doc Rivers’ career of blemishes.
But, again, the game was far from over. One of Boston’s biggest weaknesses this season has been their inability to close out close games. They struggle to generate good looks offensively. The zombified 76ers snapped back to life, and a James Harden floater forced overtime.
With time waning in overtime, Boston still held a two-point lead. And then, Jaylen Brown did the unthinkable;
For reasons unbeknownst to me, Jaylen Brown left James Harden, who had 39 points up to that point, wide open in the corner! That ill-fated double team tied the series at 2-2. Boston was potentially one rotation away from already being in the conference finals. Instead, the series became a best of three.
After that game-four collapse, the Celtics played their worst game of the season. Philadelphia played their best, most poised game of the season. They punished Boston’s conservative drop coverage and got great production up and down their rotation. It didn’t take a herculean Embiid effort or James Harden turning back the clock to get that win. They thoroughly outplayed the Celtics. TD Garden was quiet throughout the night. It was reminiscent of game six of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, where a 45-point Lebron James masterpiece sucked the air out of the building.
So, now the ball was in the 76ers’ court. Everything was tilting in their favor. Jayson Tatum missed 13 of his first 14 shots. Philadelphia was at home in front of some of the loudest fans in the league. If we take another snapshot, this seemed like the 76ers’ best opportunity to finally reach a conference finals with Joel Embiid at the helm. This was their breakthrough moment, years in the making.
Instead….well, you know what happened next. Tatum outscored the 76ers by himself in the fourth quarter. Embiid didn’t touch the ball for the final four minutes, and Boston closed the game on a 14-3 run. Another opportunity squandered. And that’s how we have a game 7.
Neither team has been particularly impressive in this series. There have been flashes of excellence, but nothing consistent enough to instill confidence. I don’t think you could look at this series and say that the Celtics will cruise to a title with a straight face.
Nevertheless, a do-or-die game means a lot for both franchises. While you shouldn’t expect either franchise to explode if they lose, there’s still plenty at stake.
The Pressure Is Undoubtedly on the 76ers
While both teams have plenty on the line, the pressure is on the 76ers to win. Not only did they squander a perfect opportunity to advance in game six, they have to win this game. Joel Embiid’s career has been littered with what-ifs and disappointments. From Kawhi’s game-winner in 2019 to Ben Simmons’ breakdown in 2021, something has always gotten in the way of the league MVP from making a deep playoff run.
That alone is enough reason for the 76ers to finally break through in the Eastern Conference. But, no matter the result, Philadelphia fans should be a little concerned. Even with all the smart roster decisions made by Daryl Morey, and an all-time season from Joel Embiid, the 76ers are far from winning a title.
After last year’s ugly game six collapse at home against Miami, I called for this team to retool. I don’t think anything has changed in that regard. This isn’t a team on the precipice of a title. Even though this is the best team Embiid has had around him, it says something that this is the best product this organization can put out there. And it’s not like this team’s future is pretty.
Let’s start with James Harden. Even though he’s had his moment this postseason, he’s been absent when the 76ers have really needed a boost. In between his virtuoso performances in games one and four, he shot a combined 5/28 from the floor. The lack of burst or explosiveness in his game is jarring. This is the same guy who couldn’t be touched just a few years ago, and now he seems allergic to the paint.
Tobias Harris is the near-$40 million dollar roadblock that prevents this team from making any big swings. Looking ahead to next season, the 76ers’ top three salaries (Embiid, Harden (who has a player option), and Harris) are the third highest in the league. All of that for a team who may or may not make it past the second round.
Tyrese Maxey will be extension eligible this summer and becomes a restricted free agent in 2024. Whenever he gets paid, it will further handcuff this team from making moves. With the new CBA rules incoming, it’ll be harder for high spending teams like the 76ers to make deals and signings.
Another loss in the second round would be maddening. Winning would delude the 76ers into thinking they’re closer to a ring than they really are. Neither option seems ideal. Philadelphia is more or less stuck with the team they have now. And this isn’t something you want to be stuck with.
Still, losing would mean this organization would have to stare down the barrel of another offseason where more questions loom than answers. For a franchise still looking for its first title since the 80s, winning would make everybody forget about that ugly future, if not for just a day.
Boston Isn’t Pressure Free, However
While the Celtics have made numerous deep playoff runs, losing to this 76ers team would be a disappointment. After the pain of last season’s finals loss, not making it to the conference finals would be a failure. And when you consider that the Milwaukee Bucks are out of the picture, Boston has to see this as an opportunity to capture banner number 17.
This series has shown the Celtics at their best and at their worst. At times, Joe Mazzulla’s team has spit out the same world-beating team that made it to the Finals last season. When the outside shots are falling, and the defense is keyed in, I wouldn’t want to face the Celtics. They’re scary when they have things going.
Alas, that version of the Celtics only comes and goes, like the Hulk. But instead of being Bruce Banner when they’re not breaking buildings, Boston resembles Elizabeth Holmes more often than not. The Celtics’ inability to close games is a trend that goes back to last season.
At times, there are long stretches of stagnant offense. The Celtics don’t attack the rim, meaning they’re too reliant on their streaky outside shooting. And their defense, which was their backbone last season, hasn’t been as sharp. This isn’t the same Celtics team we saw last year.
A loss for the Celtics wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it would raise questions about this team’s future. Unlike Philadelphia, Boston’s roster makes a lot of sense and doesn’t need any major makeovers. A long-term replacement for an aging Al Horford (Grant Williams?) is needed, and scientists are still developing a safety suit so Robert Williams never gets hurt.
But it’s worth mentioning the status of the Celtics’ two stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. After people clamored for the duo to be split up last season, they made it to the NBA Finals. Even if the Celtics lose later today, suggesting something would be foolish. The thing is, this duo may have started to enter the final years of its lifespan.
For as long as these two have played together, there’s still so much awkwardness. Both guys need the ball to be really effective. And while Tatum is clearly more talented, Brown seems eager to take on a bigger role. Prove that he can succeed outside of Tatum’s shadow.
Brown’s future in Boston isn’t exactly rock solid. While he just became eligible for a $295 million dollar extension thanks to his recent All-NBA nod, I wouldn’t say Jaylen has the same connection to the city of Boston as someone like Tatum does.
Given the incoming revenue spike, does that $295 million dollar extension entice Brown to stay? Remember, this is the same front office that floated Brown in trade rumors when Kevin Durant was available last summer. Even if owner Wyc Grousbeck called Brown to squelch any worry Brown might’ve had, that relationship isn’t exactly that house with the white picket fence with the two pets and the three kids, you know?
A bitter ending to an otherwise solid season could make a tense relationship worse. Boston is still looking for their first title since 2008. They have had multiple close calls, but close isn’t good enough in the NBA. This series should have been over a long time ago. Instead, the Celtics have let it come down to a decisive seventh game. A loss could raise even more questions about the duo that got them here in the first place.
Who’s Winning Game 7?
After all this hemming and hawing about what might happen in the future, who’s booking their ticket to the conference finals a date with the (checks notes) Miami Heat? Well, my gut tells me that this is the Celtics’ series to lose. They stole all the momentum in game six and with their home crowd behind them, I think they have the clear advantage.
That being said, we know both of these teams are dying to give the other team the series team. No lead is safe and if things get close down the stretch, it’s a coin toss to see who will mess things up more.
Boston found something by inserting Robert Williams back into the starting lineup alongside Al Horford. This all but played PJ Tucker off the floor, meaning that the slower George Niang was on the floor more. While Niang spaces out the floor, not having Tucker on the court frees things up for Tatum and Brown.
But, Philadelphia forces 18 Boston turnovers in game six. 14 of them were live ball turnovers, but the 76ers simply failed to capitalize. If they can do that again in this game and get out in transition, this game will become less of a dogfight.
Speaking of dogfighting, the 76ers, a team who doesn’t usually attack the offensive glass, had been killing the smaller Celtics on the boards. But, when Robert Williams got inserted back into the starting unit, the 76ers had just six offensive rebounds in game six. While going big does take away Derrick White’s shot making in that starting unit, I think Timelord is the way to go for Boston. Limiting those easy, second chance opportunities in a game like this is critical.
Over the past 16 home games at TD Garden, the Celtics are a putrid 7-9. Jaylen Brown even called out fans for the low energy. Whatever the case may be, Boston’s homecourt advantage isn’t nearly as strong as you’d think it is. The 76ers have already won two road games in this series, so winning a third one isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.
But, if I had to pick one team, I’m sticking with the Celtics. They’re the better team…when they want to be. And I’m betting that they’ll have that proverbial switch dialed all the way up for this game.
Who’s Winning Game 7? Leave a Comment Down Below!
Follow My Instagram & Facebook To Never Miss a Post: @hoopnotions
1 thought on “Welcome to the Series that Nobody Wants to Win”
Comments are closed.