The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Are the Boston Celtics in the Philadelphia 76ers heads?

By Bret Stuter

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 11: Robert Covington (33) of Philadelphia 76ers in action against Jayson Tatum (3rd L) of Boston Celtics during the NBA game between Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers at the O2 Arena in London, England on January 11, 2018. (Photo by Yunus Dalgic/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 11: Robert Covington (33) of Philadelphia 76ers in action against Jayson Tatum (3rd L) of Boston Celtics during the NBA game between Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers at the O2 Arena in London, England on January 11, 2018. (Photo by Yunus Dalgic/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Marcus Morris
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Marcus Morris /

Celtics have a strategy, and it works

Let’s not lose sight of the fact that this Boston Celtics squad is a well constructed group of compatible parts. They have a solid starting five, and a bench which is always capable of at least one player scoring in double digits. And they synchronize defensive strategy.  To combat the incredible effectiveness of Joel Embiid deep in the post, the Celtics collapsed both Al Horford and Aron Baynes on him.

That late double means both Al Horford and Aron Baynes draw the defensive duties on Embiid. In theory, that opens up a Philadelphia 76ers if the ball could find him.  Ah.. if only…

Celtics use Anti-Embiid strategy

Ideally the Philadelphia 76ers could anticipate that defense, and pass to Embiid and then back out to Saric instantly.  That would give the 76ers options to go back to the post, Saric shoot an open shot, or pass back out to Simmons to drive to the basket. But that is still on the chalkboard for now.  So far, the Philadelphia 76ers do nothing to change the rhythm, bait the Celtics, or adapt to what Boston does to regain the advantage.

So the countermeasures wait for another day.  All the while that may be true, the Celtics have crushed Joel Embiid so far.  In the two games Embiid has faced the Celtics, he has attempted 33 shots, and scored on just 10 of those attempts. They have fettered a 48.9 percent shooter to just 30 percent accuracy.  But he is not the only player to struggle.