Celtics take Game 3
The Sixers came into Game 3 with a golden opportunity, they had a chance to take a 2-1 lead on the Boston Celtics in the series. That wasn’t the case last night. Boston came out firing last night as they shot 52% from the field, and they never let up. Kevin Garnett had 27 points and 13 rebounds, while Rajon Rondo had 23 points, 14 assists, and 6 rebounds. Paul Pierce also chipped in with 24 points as the Celtics won 107-91.
The first quarter was good and bad for the Sixers. They won the first quarter 33-28, and they really were shooting the ball very well. However, all of their scoring might have been a bad thing since it seemed that they were expecting a shootout instead of playing any kind of defense. They failed to get into transition last night, while Boston seemed to be the team that was constantly pushing the basketball up the floor. The Sixers looked completely flat after that 1st period once Boston began to make a run. They just seemed to give up on both sides of the ball, as Boston outscored Philly by 28 points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.
The lack of defense really showed, every shot seemed to fall for the Celtics because they had the Sixers scrambling on defense and all of thier looks seemed to be clean. From late in the 1st quarter through most of the 3rd quarter the Celtics shot a insane 26-34 from the field, which is good for 74% over a 2 quarter period. If you allow a team to shoot like that, in your own building none the less, then yes you deserve to lose the game.
Kevin Garnett constantly had open jump-shots from about 18 feet which has been his money shot his entire career. He made that shot consistently last night, because of the inability of Spencer Hawes and Elton Brand to rotate back on the same exact play they ran all game long for Garnett. The only player who seems to have a answer for Garnett is rookie Lavoy Allen. Garnett shoots 71% when Lavoy is not on him, but just 47% when Lavoy is on him.
Thaddeus Young was the lone bright spot for the Sixers last night. He had 22 points and 5 rebounds, and was really the only Sixer that seemed to be playing with any energy. The Sixers failed to get in transition and allowed the Celtics to set up their half court defense. When a team has a half court defense like the Celtics you need a true post player or go to scorer to be able to break it, and the Sixers do not have either one. That showed by constant jump-shots that were contested, and the combination of Evan Turner, Lou Williams, Spencer Hawes, and Elton Brand shot 8-34 (24%) from the field.
This game was so bad that even Doug Collins said “To watch it in person is one thing. To watch it again on tape is even more damning.”
Game 4 is now a “must win” for the Sixers, they can not go down 3-1 in the series against the Celtics with 2 of the last 3 games coming in Boston. They will need to make changes on defense and offense if they want to win Game 4 because Boston is going to come out for the knockout punch. The key for them is what I have been saying all series, TRANSITION. If they force Boston to run up and down the floor constantly and also not allowing them to get into their half court defense, we will win. Everyone needs to show up for Game 4, Andre Iguodala had just 6 shot attempts last night and we need him to be more aggressive as our leader. Last night was embarrassing for the Sixers and I know this team has more pride and heart than that. We will see a completely different team in Game 4 that I can guarantee you, and if we don’t this season could be coming to an end very shortly.
Game 4 is Friday at 8 p.m.
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Tags: Celtics, game 3, Kevin Garnett, playoffs, Sam Shipley, Sixers
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