The Philadelphia 76ers started Adem Bona over Andre Drummond in Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, and it instantly came back to bite them. Bona picked up two fouls in just over 90 seconds. He was so bad in the first half that Nurse started the third quarter with Drummond. This was nothing new. Drummond had outplayed Bona for weeks. Nurse foolishly stuck with Bona, and the Sixers paid the price.
Joel Embiid is the 76ers' starter, but he is recovering from surgery. Philadelphia hopes to extend the series long enough for him to return. That doesn’t look possible after Game 1. The Celtics steamrolled the Sixers in Boston.
Nurse is stuck with Drummond and Bona at the five. His decision should be obvious, but the head coach got it wrong in Game 1.
Nick Nurse must start Andre Drummond over Adem Bona
Drummond played a crucial role in the Sixers securing the seventh seed. He had 14 points, ten rebounds, three steals, and three blocks in 31 minutes against the Magic in the Play-In Tournament. Nurse only played Bona 16 minutes in that contest, despite starting him. It was clear who the head coach trusted in a must-win game.
Since March 1, the 76ers have been outscored by 22 points in Bona’s 408 minutes on the floor. They’ve won Drummond’s 364 minutes by nine points. The veteran has been a better rebounder and defender over that stretch. Drummond is also developing a 3-point shot, including nailing two triples in the Play-In win over Orlando.
Both players struggled against the Celtics. Boston is a nightmare matchup for any big man. They love to space the floor and knock down jumpers. Drummond struggles defending on the perimeter, and Boston certainly plans to exploit that.
Drummond finished with two points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in 21 minutes on Saturday afternoon. Adem Bona had three points and three rebounds in 13 minutes. Who should play this role was clear again.
Nurse is in a difficult spot, but Drummond has earned the start over Bona. That was clear down the stretch and in the Play-In Tournament. Instead, Nurse gambled on Bona starting Game 1, and it instantly blew up in his face. The Celtics jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. This was a destruction that should have the Sixers asking plenty of questions.
Nurse started the second half with Drummond at the five, and he must make that change in Game 2. Bona was a non-factor in Game 1. Drummond provides rebounding and effort on defense. He is far from the perfect option, but it is the best one at Nurse’s disposal.
The Philadelphia 76ers have to make jumpers, lock in on defense, and play significantly better to have any shot to upset the Boston Celtics in this series. It didn’t happen in Game 1. Nick Nurse didn’t do his team any favors by starting the wrong big man. They must right all the wrongs ahead of Game 2 or this series will get out of hand quickly. Hopefully, it was a lesson learned.
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