Sixers vs. Celtics: 3 things to watch for in pivotal Game 2

1. Embiid’s involvement

Embiid was good on Monday. He recorded 26 points, shot 8-for-15 from the field, and grabbed 16 boards. No one will complain about his efficiency, nor his effort on defense. Any complaints about Embiid’s performance on Monday stem from his lack of volume. There were several extended stretches — including crunch time — in which Embiid was virtually excluded from the offense.

Blame goes all around on this one. His teammates need to do a better job finding him. Brett Brown needs to call plays specifically for him. And, above all else, Embiid needs to command the basketball.

The Sixers cannot have games in which Embiid only takes 15 shots, or where he only attempts one field goal in the final eight minutes. Embiid is a top-10 player in basketball, and one of the most singularly talented offensive players on the planet. You let him work, because he is the only viable path to victory in this series.

Boston also lacks a proper answer for Embiid at center. He can individually compromise Daniel Theis, Enes Kanter, and Robert Williams without breaking a sweat. Where Boston’s defense makes up ground is double teams, which can early and often in Game 1 — and with a great deal of success.

The Celtics squeezed five turnovers out of Embiid. In order to fully dominate in the way he’s capable of dominating, Embiid needs to be smarter with his approach. He needs to keep the ball high, patiently exploit his defender, and make snappy reads when the double comes — and he should know it’s coming every time.

If Embiid can replicate his success as both a scorer and a passer from the first four seeding games in Orlando, he will have no problem besting the Celtics’ defense. Boston is a good defensive team, but they are far from impenetrable. Embiid happens to pressure them at their weakest point.