Are the Boston Celtics in the Philadelphia 76ers heads?

By Bret Stuter | Jan 11, 2018

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) /

3 of 6

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) /

Counter Celtics moves with countermeasures

The Boston Celitcs come in with specific objectives. Against the Philadelphia 76ers, this team targets Joel Embiid. But they do not focus on him exclusively. They focus their attention towards Robert Covington as well.

Each game this year, the Celtics have guarded Covington with Irving. Philadelphia has to make that matchup work in their favor to beat Boston and it hasn't.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 11, 2018

Point guard Kyrie Irving is a 6-foot-3 point guard. Robert Covington is a 6-foot-9 wing player. While Irving is quicker, Covington has a significant height and reach advantage. Which is why Celtics elect that coverage.

In the overall perspective, that gives the Celtics an advantage. It’s a good strategy, as by covering Covington with Irving, their taller players can set up in better position for rebounds. In three games, the Celtics are crushing the Sixers on the boards at rebounding: 142-129.