To sum this game up in six words: The Sixers tried, the Celtics didn’t.
The C’s do have five games in seven nights but it would have been a bit encouraging to see them try a little more. Between the 38% shooting and the 20 turnovers (which led to 21 Philadelphia points), the 76ers didn’t need to do much else to cruise to the 107-75 victory.
It looked alright with Darko Milicic & Jared Sullinger getting the start, but the C’s had 13 first half turnovers and failed to make a three pointer, as well. With no Kevin Garnett, the Sixers were getting to the basket easily with the pick & roll and the Sixers bigs had themselves a field day, including Spencer Hawes, who went for 13 of his 17 in the first half.
The Celtics gave one more push in the beginning of the third, which included back-to-back threes from Sullinger & Paul Pierce. Pierce got 9 of his 16 points in the first five minutes of the third, and helped cut it to a 66-59 deficit. But the Celtics continued to turn the ball over and the lack of communication on defense put that to rest as the Sixers were able to get it up to 21 by the end of the third and pretty much put this game to garbage time or better known as Nick Young time.
One of the only bright spots of the night was the ovation former Temple player Dionte Christmas was given when he came in the game. He only played eight minutes, most of them garbage time in the fourth and he finished with two points.
Darko Milicic got the start tonight and was OK, going for six points & three boards, but he also hurt his already injured hand. He played through it fine but only played 16 minutes tonight.
Rajon Rondo has a rough night. He had four points & six assists on 2-7 shooting but he also had four turnovers and a +/- of -12 in a team high 27 minutes. Just all in all a poor game for him but with five games in seven nights… it’s not surprising.
Brandon Bass was the only other Celtic to get into double digits as he finished with 11 points & 6 rebounds on 5-9 shooting off the bench while Jared Sullinger got the start and got 9 points & 5 rebounds. There were times where Doc played both of them & Jeff Green in an interesting experiment, but after watching all the Sixers uncontested shots in the paint, we may not see that combination for extended periods until it’s much more refined on the defensive end.
Also, poor Jamar Smith. He couldn’t hit anything tonight. 0-5 shooting tonight.
Thank God the Celtics play tomorrow so we can quickly forget this game.
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