The Sixer Sense
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Ersan Ilyasova needs to step up against the Boston Celtics

By Ethan Piechota

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: Ersan Ilyasova #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers goes to the basket against the Miami Heat in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: Ersan Ilyasova #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers goes to the basket against the Miami Heat in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Since his addition to the Philadelphia 76ers midseason, Ersan Ilyasova has been a key piece off the bench for head coach Brett Brown and a big reason for the 76ers’ lasting success.

When Bryan Colangelo signed back veteran forward Ersan Ilyasova to a league minimum contract in February, the Turkish big man immediately assumed a key role off the bench for the Philadelphia 76ers. His 6-10 frame, sneaky athleticism, ability to stretch the floor and take charges with the best of them was the perfect combination for the team.

Ilyasova has proven to be extremely valuable as the season has progressed, filling in big needs as a bench scorer and rebounder for the Philadelphia 76ers. With Joel Embiid and Dario Saric missing time towards the end of the season, Ilyasova stepped into a bigger role and was productive game-in and game-out in their absence.

He averaged 10.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in 23 games for the 76ers while playing around 24 minutes a night.

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In the Philadelphia 76ers’ game 1 loss to the Boston Celtics, bench production (or lack thereof) was a main reason for the team’s overall poor performance. The normal boost from veteran reserves Marco Belinelli and Ilyasova wasn’t there, as the two combined just 5-18 shooting from the floor and 1-5 from three-point land.

In Ilyasova’s last 3 playoff games combined, the stretch big man is shooting just a tick over 30 percent. Although he is still providing good splits with his rebounding numbers at 9.2 per game in the playoffs, Ilyasova’s offensive production is extremely important to the Philadelphia 76ers’ success.

It’s also worth mentioning that Ilyasova’s true niche on the basketball court at all times is as a reliable stretch-four that can space the floor for Ben Simmons and knock down open threes. A normal 37 percent three-point shooter during the regular season, his percentage has dropped down all the way to 30% in the postseason.

Ilyasova needs to step up

The Philadelphia 76ers struggled mightily in Game 1 against the Celtics, minus Joel Embiid.  Ilyasova will be needed to space the floor for the rest of the series. Not only will it provide improved three-point shooting for the 76ers, but will also open up driving lanes for Ben Simmons to penetrate and create for his teammates.

Overall, the 76ers need to play better the rest of this series if they want to make a playoff run. Ersan Ilyasova is a key part of this needed collective improvement, and we will see tonight if he can make a positive impact.

Next: Sixers staying the course in Game 2

The 76ers take on the Boston Celtics tonight at 8:30 PM E.T. on TNT at the TD Garden.