What a game, Celtics remaining undefeated at home, has to at least make them feel good knowing they have home court in the next round.
I think with the few days rest and having such a tough end to the series this works in Boston's favour. You really never know until game 1 starts and you see how the teams come out, but so often the team that hasn't really been tested AND has a long lay off can come out a bit off, so we'll see if the Cavs will continue that trend.
As far as this game goes, nice to see Brown not wincing after every move, the next few days off should do him a world of good. Hoping Tatums hand or whatever he jammed is minor, a lot of bodies falling and physical play in this series for the Celtics by the Sixers, I think that's where the benefit really lies heading into the series vs the Cavs who faced a let's say less than physical team in Toronto.
I've walked away impressed by McConnell after these last few games, give the kid credit he did well. My opinion of Embiid hasn't changed, I really don't like him.
I thought the refs were again inconsistent on both ends but weren't the difference in this one. I would have been pissed if I was a Celtics fan at the 2 non-calls in the end, first with Tatum clearly getting fouled on the catch and then going up for the layup, that should have been a 3 point play and then with Embiid blatantly reaching out and grabbing Rozier's jersey holding him back right infront of the ref, before the ball had even been inbounded, that should have been a free throw and possession. Also the Saric play were he bulldozed into Smart no call, but Celtics got the ball so it worked out. Having said that I'm sure there were some arguments to be made for the Sixers missed calls too
Al Horford with the plays of the game midway through the 4th quarter with his back to back baskets then steal leading to the Rozier layup, it was a crucial stage of the game and starting to look like the Celtics were going to blow it, that was huge.
I've never been as big on Simmons/Embiid as most posters and this series really did nothing to change my opinion. I understand it's their first time in this situation, they're young, Embiid's got the mask, I get it. I'm not saying they won't be allstars or potentially have really good careers, I just don't see superstar qualities in either, talent yes but I personally believe we'll look back on their careers more as a what could have been
Anyway, the Celtics absolutely need to get a C with quicker feet in the offseason, no knock on Baynes he's been playing above his expectations, the put back dunk, maintaining his position relatively well against the bigger Embiid and even knocking down the 3's but they absolutely need to add some athletic defensive minded bigs. Horford and Baynes have their positives and can be surprisingly agile in the paint but it's an area the team is missing
Brown 10-13 from the field, Tatum 8-15 these 2 kids just living in the moment and not phased by it. Not a great shooting night by Rozier, I think he's saving it for the next round
Smart continues to be amazing and contradictory to his surname at the same time, surely the coaching staff wouldn't have instructed him to intentionally miss the free throw at the end? You're up by 2 with a chance to make it 3, no matter the Sixers not having a timeout and little time left on the clock, you absolutely try and make the free throw and make it a 3 point game so your worst case scenario is they heave a lucky 3 and you head to OT.
The only time you try and miss if there's under a second left but luckily it worked out and of course he gets the steal, he's a guy you'd love to have on your team but also would be frustrating to watch when he's out of control
Morris with his worst game of the playoffs, good time to get it out of your system, I think he plays really well in game 1 of the next series.
Still surprised that Stevens hasn't gone to Monroe hardly, the guy can score if nothing else and could have put Embiid in some foul trouble.
Excited to see the next round!