BOSTON–As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for the Eastern Conference semifinals with the Boston Celtics, much has been made about the struggles of Tyrese Maxey against the Cs.
On the season, Maxey averaged 20.3 points and he shot 43.4% from deep. In four games with the Celtics, he averaged only 10.0 points and he shot 35.4% from the floor and 21.4% from deep. The struggles were obvious.
With so many questions surrounding the status of Joel Embiid in this series, the Sixers will need Maxey to take the next step forward. He has to be able to shake off his struggles in the regular season and be better out on the floor during this run.
“Some of them, I came off the bench I think two of those games and I’ve got to be more aggressive, I feel like,” said Maxey at shootaround on Monday. “I didn’t shoot a lot in those games. Not saying I need to shoot more, but I need to get more aggressive. Getting downhill shots, being aggressive, looking for my shots, for shots for my teammates, and just play the right way.”
The Sixers have to be able to get him out in the open court. When Philadelphia is able to push the ball in transition and are able to get him going toward the basket full of steam, then he is going to be much more successful.
“Gotta get him some open court looks,” added coach Doc Rivers of Maxey. “Gotta get the ball in his hands a little bit more.”
The Sixers will be leaning on Maxey now more than ever when considering the injury to Embiid and the question of whether he plays in this series.
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