76ers’ Game 2 loss: 3 players the Celtics exposed

1. P.J. Tucker

We have reached a potential impasse in the P.J. Tucker debate. He is obviously of critical importance to the Sixers’ defense, to the point where it’s impossible to suggest not playing him. He has earned the “Playoff P.J.” monicker through years of tireless effort on this stage.

That said, Tucker’s offense has been trending in the wrong direction all season. He logged 37 minutes without a single shot attempt in Game 1 and it was all laughs because Philly won. He actually logged more shot attempts (and five points) in Game 2, but the compromised spacing was far more noticeable with Joel Embiid back in the mix.

The Sixers have to find better ways to involve Embiid in the offense in his compromised state, but the Celtics’ ability to completely ignore Tucker on the perimeter is going to make life much harder on Doc Rivers and the entire team. It’s the same issue that has tanked the value of Thybulle or even Ben Simmons in postseasons past; if you can’t make the defense respect you, it’s very hard to provide consistently positive value in the NBA playoffs.

Perhaps Philadelphia just has to get creative with the lineup combinations. Keep Embiid on the nail instead of in the post, allowing Tucker to operate in the dunker’s spot or attack on cuts from the corner. Maybe Doc just has to get in Tucker’s ear about shooting more corner 3s. We know he’s capable of it. The Sixers cannot bench Tucker, but we might be seeing a lot more of De’Anthony Melton in the games to come if these offensive struggles persist.