BOSTON — The Philadelphia 76ers wanted to be greedy and build off a shocking Game 1 win over the Boston Celtics before the series shifted to Philadelphia.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t knock down any open looks.
The Sixers shot 39.2% from the floor and 6-for-30 from deep as they fell to the Celtics, 121-87, in Game 2. The series is tied at 1 as Boston showed a great deal of pride.
James Harden, the hero of Game 1, had a rough go in Game 2. He scored 12 points on 2-for-14 shooting, and he was 0-for-6 from deep. He had some bad luck: He had a few 3s pop back out after they were halfway down, but it was a rough night.
When asked if it was anything the Celtics did, Harden brushed it off.
“No,” he said. “Our spacing wasn’t right and this is a make-or-miss league. They didn’t really start making shots until that third quarter, and then they went on that big run. For us, we’ve just got to do a better job of knowing where we are on the floor and just allowing each other to have space and to generate shots — easier shots.”
Along with Harden’s struggles, Tyrese Maxey was 1-for-4 from deep, Joel Embiid was 0-for-2 and Georges Niang made one triple.
“We didn’t move the ball,” coach Doc Rivers said. “Offensively, we were pretty bad, but give them credit. Their ball pressure ate us up all night. I thought they pressured us, they denied us, they played in our air space all game.”
In terms of how they can get back to the way they played in Game 1, the spacing on offense is going to be the biggest key.
“I think that’s for the whole group to figure out,” Tobias Harris said. “Spacing and creating driving lanes, that’s the biggest thing for us. We can figure out different ways to gain more spacing. I think obviously, that starts with getting stops and getting out and running … allowing us to push the pace out there. Outside of that, just getting that ball hopping around and moving.”
Game 3 is Friday in Philadelphia.
[lawrence-related id=79450,79446,79438]