Philadelphia 76ers learn firsthand Celtics rivalry alive and well

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BOSTON, MA – APRIL 30: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics lays up a shot against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2018 at TD Garden on April 30, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Al Horford; Joel Embiid /

Rivalry renewed

Now, the furnace has reignited, and the same heated competition which propelled the legends of yesteryear promise to do the same once more. It takes the fires of two passionate fanbases and two incredibly talented teams to repeat that same forging of NBA legends to the players of today. Round one was the test of physicality. The Miami Heat pushed the Sixers to the limits of strength and endurance.

But these Boston Celtics play a differing style of NBA game. They are the cerebral assasins. Their gameplan is to create constant mismatches, hammer at the weakest link on the basketball court, and win by outsmarting their opponents. They hammered relentless on Philadelphia shooting guard Marco Belinelli again and again. Keeping him off balance defensively threw off his game offensively. Shrewd plan.

Sixers surprised, for now.

And after the physical matchups against the Heat, the 76ers young players were unprepared. That’s right. They had their game plan and what they needed to do in their heads. But when their feet hit the basketball court, they forgot to consider what the Celtics might have planned. And the next mistake? Believing the Celtics, like the Heat, will simply continue with the same scheme each game. They are better than thant.

#Sixers SG @JJRedick on last night’s 117-101 loss to #Celtics: “We’re fine. We got to be better. That’s the bottom line. We got to be better offensively and better defensively. There’s no overreaction on our part.” #NBAPlayoffs2018 pic.twitter.com/SzgLXr1FET
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) May 1, 2018

This game within the game represents the overall game plan drawn up by the coaches, and then the ability of the players on the court to manufacture those schemes with what they see on the floor.