2023 nba playoffs second round – Page 5

Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers: How to watch, broadcast, lineups (Game 4)

The Celtics hope to take a commanding 3-1 series lead back to TD Garden for Game 5, while the Sixers are looking for revenge.

The Boston Celtics will revisit their Friday night tilt with the Philadelphia 76ers at Pennsylvania’s Wells Fargo Center hoping for the same result in order for the ball club to take a commanding 3-1 series lead back to TD Garden for Game 5. The Sixers, however, will be in the hunt for a modicum of revenge after spoiling not only Joel Embiid’s MVP coronation but also PJ Tucker’s birthday.

If you happen to be looking for a way to watch the on-court action live on cable television or a local or national online streaming service, keep reading while we get you up to speed on everything else you need to know about the game.

Let’s begin with the players available to play.

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— Dr. Justin Quinn (@justinquinnn) May 6, 2023

Did an errant laugh help fuel Al Horford’s big night vs. the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3?

A chuckle at Horford justifiably calling himself an elite shooter may have sparked a 5-of-7 night from beyond the arc.

Veteran Boston Celtics big man Al Horford was asked at shootaround before Game 3 about his shooting slump. Horford shot 2-for-12 from beyond the arc in the first two games of the series. “Not much difference really,” Horford said via CLNS Media before a reporter began laughing at what he said next.

“I’m still getting good looks. I’ll continue to shoot them. Even throughout the season, I went through ups and downs, that’s just a part of it when you’re an elite shooter.” The comment drew a chuckle from a reporter, which evidently helped fuel Horford’s 5-for-7, 17-point outing in Game 3 of the ball club’s Eastern Conference semifinals series with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The data supported Horford’s claim of being an elite shooter with his 44.6% efficiency rate from beyond the arc in the 2022-23 regular season — good enough for the second-best rate in the entire league — but going 71.4% from 3 was quite the flex on the unnamed reporter who chuckled at the Florida alum’s words.

Hopefully, we see more of this version of Horford, as the Dominican big man was a key part of the Celtics’ win on both ends in Game 3.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Is Jaylen Brown the MVP of the Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers East semis series?

Brown’s defense on James Harden over the last two games has been a huge difference-maker.

Star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown had 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in the Celtics’ 114-102 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Georgia native also continued to play suffocating defense on Sixers star guard James Harden, holding him to 2-for-11 from the floor overall across the three games played so far in the second-round contest.

“We just ultimately wanted to be better on defense and make it hard for everybody,” Brown said. “And I think our pressure and intensity over the last two games have done that. I think they scored 102, right? When we keep a team in that range, we’re going to be hard to beat.”

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast Bobby Manning and Josue Pavon recently discussed the Cal alum’s stellar play in this series.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say about Brown’s outstanding play in the series so far.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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‘Dang, I really got curb stomped’: Grant Williams on escaping mostly unscathed after Joel Embiid stepped on his head

“It happens, man,” offered the Charlotte native, who had no truck with his opponents’ misstep despite the danger it had put him in.

When it happened, the world seemed to slow down and we all took a sharp breath and held it while hoping for less than it looked like it was. Boston Celtics reserve forward Grant Williams was on the ground, and Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid — a 7-foot-tall, 280 lb. mountain of a man — accidentally stepped on his head.

“I was like, ‘Dang, I really got curb stomped,'” said Williams to the press postgame, miraculously escaping major injury, though, per Bally Sports’ Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, the Tennessee product will be getting stitches and a mouthpiece for Game 4 out of the bargain. But Williams, after getting a number of lacerations tended to by the medical staff, came back in the game and was no small part of Boston’s key Game 3 win.

“It happens, man,” offered the Charlotte native, who had no truck with his opponents’ misstep despite the danger it had put him in.

How will the Sixers adjust? Do we feel any different about anything in light of how the Celtics won? https://t.co/4rwu5bVgUU

— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 6, 2023

“He was falling backward and I’m just thankful he didn’t fully lean his weight on it because he definitely got me pretty badly but then I think he felt like he landed on something so he picked his foot up.”

Thank goodness for that — and for Grant.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics Lab 188: Reacting to Boston’s 114-102 Game 3 win vs. 76ers, Grant Williams durability and more with Luca Santos

Are the Sixers’ stars out of gas due to Boston’s defensive pressure? Are there adjustments to be made? And are we looking at this series any differently now that the Celtics hold a 2-1 lead?

The Boston Celtics came to Wells Fargo Arena with the sort of focus and energy needed to retake their momentum in the postseason against the Philadelphia 76ers on a night when their star center Joel Embiid was crowned the NBA’s 2023 Most Valuable Player.

The Celtics took Game 3 of the series 114-102 thanks to Boston’s star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown putting forth the effort on both ends of the court, but also with a team win after six Celtics scored in double figures. And Grant Williams may not have scored in his return to action against Philly, but his elite defense and drive to return to the court after Embiid scarily stepped on his head by mistake was truly a sight to behold.

Are the Sixers’ stars out of gas due to Boston’s defensive pressure? Are there adjustments to be made? And are we looking at this series any differently now that the Celtics hold a 2-1 lead?

To talk it over, the hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast sat down with co-host of the Spanish “Los Orgullosos Verdes” podcast on the Planeta NBA network Luca Santos, as well as what life is like covering the team on the other side of the pond.

The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Fan Duel and Better Help.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston at Philadelphia: Celtics outlast 76ers 114-102, take 2-1 series lead

Let’s take a look at some of the best plays captured in images from the Celtics’ Game 3 vs. the 76ers in the second round of the ’23 playoffs.

The Boston Celtics knew they would get the best of the Philadelphia 76ers for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series taking place on the Sixers’ home court, and the Celtics took care of business, winning 114-102. Boston not only ruined Joel Embiid’s return to the court, but they also ruined his MVP presentation night and teammate PJ Tucker’s birthday in the process.

On a night with six players reaching double figures on offense, big games from Jayson Tatum (27 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists), Jaylen Brown (23 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists), Al Horford (17 points, 7 rebounds), Marcus Smart (15 points, 3 steals), Derrick White (13 points, 6 boards), and Malcolm Brogdon (15 points, 6 assists) won the night. A special shout out to Grant Williams as well for his high-level defense on a night that saw him return to the court after getting his head stepped on by Embiid.

Let’s take a look at some of the best plays captured in images from the Celtics’ Game 3 vs. the 76ers in the second round of the ’23 playoffs.

Celtics Lab 187: Rapid response to Boston’s blowout Game 2 win, Embiid’s flop of a return, and odd drone decisions https://t.co/hsl3n1ifmr

— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 4, 2023

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Doc Rivers praises Celtics’ Marcus Smart while talking the importance of team defense

‘Your team defense, your rotations, your low man helps have to be on point every night,’ explained Rivers.

In the NBA of today, defense is an especially difficult art and one that remains key to the sport despite recent rule changes designed to elevate offense.

Team defense, in particular, has filled in the gaps left by individual defenders, which Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers touched on ahead of his team’s Game 3 matchup with the Boston Celtics.

“Because of the rules, it’s really tough to be a great individual defender,” suggested Rivers in response to a media question about the 76ers’ defense. “Marcus Smart is one of the best defenders in the league.”

“And yet (Stephen) Curry won MVP in the finals last year, and that doesn’t mean he wasn’t a great defensive player,” he explained. “It’s just hard.”

Celtics Lab 187: Rapid response to Boston’s blowout Game 2 win, Embiid’s flop of a return, and odd drone decisions https://t.co/hsl3n1ifmr

— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 4, 2023

“It’s much harder,” continued the Sixers coach. “It’s hard to put your hands on anyone now. And so your team defense, your rotations, your low man helps have to be on point every night.

“If they’re not teams are typically going to take advantage of it,” he added, perhaps alluding to the havoc created for Boston in Game 1 — or how the Celtics returned the favor in Game 2 by dialing up their own defensive intensity.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Is Grant Williams key for the Boston Celtics’ East semis vs. the Philadelphia 76ers?

Has Grant Williams earned back his spot in the rotation? Why did he lose it in the first place?

With a lot riding on Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series with the Philadelphia 76ers, which started with an embarrassing home loss that put the Boston Celtics down 1-0, Boston answered with a commanding 121-87 effort on Wednesday.

Not only was the game a blowout win for Boston, but Joel Embiid’s return after winning the Most Valuable Player award for 2023 wasn’t as fruitful as Philly had hoped. On the heels of a monster performance, Sixers star James Harden was nearly nonexistent in Game 2, while Boston gave an extended run to reserve forward Grant Williams.

After a really solid performance in their win, the Celtics should seriously consider giving Grant more minutes.

Has Grant Williams earned back his spot in the rotation? Why did he lose it in the first place? Join the CLNS Media “Vitamin Cs” podcast as hosts Tim Sheils and Wayne “Breezie” Brown discuss that and more heading into Game 3 in the video embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers: How to watch, broadcast, lineups (Game 3)

The Celtics hope to keep their momentum up after blowing out the Sixers, while Philly looks to get a boost at home.

The Boston Celtics make the trip to Pennsylvania’s Wells Fargo Center to face the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of their 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals series this Friday evening. The Celtics hope to keep their momentum up after blowing out the Sixers, while Joel Embiid and Philly look to get a boost from playing at home.

Let’s begin with the players available to play.

Celtics Lab 187: Rapid response to Boston’s blowout Game 2 win, Embiid’s flop of a return, and odd drone decisions https://t.co/hsl3n1ifmr

— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 4, 2023

Did Joe Mazzulla redeem himself in the Celtics’ Game 2 win vs. the 76ers?

Mazzulla took some of the blame for Boston’s Game 1 loss to Philly; did he redeem himself with the sequel?

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said he liked the changes in energy he saw from the Celtics in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. They blew out the Philadelphia 76ers, 121-87, on Wednesday night at TD Garden.

After falling short in Game 1 of the second-round series, the Celtics responded well to the embarrassing home loss. Mazzulla said he liked that “They were angry, frustrated” and that the team was “Angry, (and) pissed” over the 48 hours leading up to Game 2.

Hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast Bobby Manning and Josue Pavon discussed Mazzulla’s coaching and how he was right about the Celtics Game 2 adjustments.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear how they are looking at Mazzulla as a head coach in light of that turnaround.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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