Tag: 2023 nba playoffs second round

Jeff Goodman: The Boston Celtics were an ’embarrassment’ in Game 1 vs. the Philadelphia 76ers

What will happen with Joel Embiid now that he is planning to play barring any setbacks? Will he play in Game 2, or is this more smokescreen from Philly?

With no Joel Embiid in the lineup for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Boston Celtics failed to capitalize on the 2023 Most Valuable Player’s absence in their 119-115 loss to the 76ers on Monday night.

Between predictable defensive lapses and sloppy offensive possessions, the Celtics have further enforced the idea that this is just who they are this season. Can the Celtics be trusted to play their best in big moments at all anymore? What will happen with Joel Embiid now that he is planning to play barring any setbacks? Will he play in Game 2, or is this more smokescreen from Philly?

Join the eponymous hosts of the CLNS Media “Bob Ryan and Jeff Goodman with Gary Tanguay” podcast as they discuss all of the action from Monday night’s avoidable loss, what can be improved on moving forward in the series and beyond, and plenty more.

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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‘We have to tighten up. And I think we will,’ says Celtics’ Malcolm Brogdon of Game 1 loss

‘We felt like we were supposed to win that game. We feel like we’re supposed to win every game,’ said the Virginia alum.

The Boston Celtics came out playing less than their best in Game 1 of their East semifinal with the Philadelphia 76ers, and it cost them homecourt advantage.

Speaking to the media via The Athletic’s Jared Weiss, Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon revealed the Celtics are irked by their slip-up and plan to remedy it in Game 2.

“There’s a frustration, there’s an anger,” he explained. “We felt like we were supposed to win that game. We feel like we’re supposed to win every game. That’s the reality of the type of basketball we played this season. So for us, it’s definitely about sending a message.”

Boston’s tendency to play down to opponents more generally was addressed by Brogdon as well.

“I think we do let our foot off the gas at times,” suggested the Virginia alumnus. “I think we get comfortable.”

“I think we’re such a good team sometimes that we get big leads, we get comfortable, and we let teams back in the game. … We have to tighten up. And I think we will.”

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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Can the Boston Celtics take Game 2 in their series with the Philadelphia 76ers?

Why do they keep playing down to their competition in critical moments?

In a stunning collapse, the Boston Celtics fell, 119-115, in Game 1 to the Philadelphia 76ers behind a monster effort from star guard James Harden. Now, Boston needs to respond in Game 2 or risk heading to Philadelphia trailing 2-0 in their 2023 Eastern Conference semifinal.

Can the Celtics respond on Wednesday night and even the series? Why do they keep playing down to their competition in critical moments?

Join the CLNS Media “Vitamin Cs” podcast as hosts Tim Sheils and Wayne “Breezie” Brown discuss the dysfunction we witnessed in Game 1.

The pair also gets into what the Celtics need to do to pull off a much-needed win in Game 2 of the second-round series.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to get their thoughts on what went sideways in the first meeting of the series, and what needs to change for a win in Game 2.

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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Shams: Joel Embiid to return to court for 76ers in Game 2 vs. Celtics barring setbacks

We will likely see the impact of the 2023 MVP in the series for the first time on Wednesday night.

Freshly minted 2023 Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid is likely to make his return to the court for the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, according to new reporting from The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

“After winning MVP (Tuesday) night, during a quick 76ers celebration … Embiid turned to the team and said: ‘I’m back.’,” wrote Charania. “Embiid is indeed on track to return tonight in Game 2 vs. Celtics barring setbacks.”

The Sixers center, who has been sidelined with an LCL sprain of his knee for just under two weeks, sat out Game 1 against the Celtics while James Harden and Tyrese Maxey carried the contest in his absence to go up 1-0 in the series without him.

There had been speculation that Embiid might take advantage of the potential to rest with said advantage, but he appears ready to try his luck with the rest he has had.

We will likely see the impact of the 2023 MVP in the series for the first time on Wednesday night — albeit perhaps a bit slow and braced up — sometime after tipoff at 8 p.m. ET.

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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Should we be worried about the Boston Celtics playing the Philadelphia 76ers?

Can the Celtics be trusted in big moments at all anymore?

Joel Embiid was not available in Game 1 of the Boston Celtics’ 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, but the Celtics failed to capitalize on the Sixers star’s absence in their 119-115 loss.

Between ugly defensive lapses and sloppy possessions ending in turnovers, the Celtics reinforced the idea that this is just who they are when they take the court.

Can the Celtics be trusted in big moments at all anymore? What will happen with Joel Embiid and his bum knee? Will Embiid play in Game 2 or will the MVP center need more time to recuperate?

Join the CLNS Media “Bob Ryan and Jeff Goodman with Gary Tanguay” podcast as they discuss all of the action from Monday night’s loss, what can be improved on and more.

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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Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics: How to watch, broadcast, lineups (Game 2)

The Celtics hope to make up for their poor showing in Game 1 to regain homecourt advantage with a chance that injured star center Joel Embiid might not play.

The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden for Game 2 of their 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday night.

The Celtics hope to make up for their poor showing in Game 1 given the chance injured Philadelphia star Joel Embiid might not play. The Sixers will likely stick with their winning formula in Game 2 until Boston finds a way to defend them.

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.

Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla blames offense over defense for Game 1 loss vs. 76ers

The Celtics coach may have raised eyebrows more than once after practice while addressing the media by suggesting the loss was no setback.

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla spoke at the team’s practice after the Celtics lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal.

Mazzulla said hindsight is 20-20 regarding how Boston covered Sixers star James Harden and the Philadelphia offense in the loss. The Celtics head coach pointed back to the offense, which turned the ball over at a high rate and didn’t manage the game well.

Mazzulla also said the loss wasn’t a letdown, an observation that perhaps raised a few eyebrows given the clear blow to the Celtics’ hopes of taking advantage of the absence of 76ers superstar big man Joel Embiid as he nurses a knee sprain back to health.

CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning reported live from the team’s practice facilities at Auerbach Center after the Celtics’ practiced ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday.

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’s Game 1 loss ‘a good learning experience,’ says Celtics vet Al Horford

We agree it could be — so long as his teammates capitalize on what they’ve learned.

Defense was the Boston Celtics’ Achilles’ heel against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal on Monday. James Harden went off for a playoff career-high of 45 points. Celtics big man Al Horford shared (via NBC Sports Boston) that it is not just a matter of ratcheting up intensity, however, to guard the Sixers star.

“I tried to guard him as best as I could. He probably surprised me with how quick he shot the ball, I figured he would try to spend a little more time before going, but I felt like I was right there contesting,” he explained.

“You’ve got to be careful with him because you can’t really contest them, because he always kicks his legs, that’s one of the things that he does.”

“For me, it’s a good learning experience there, and knowing how I’d handle it next time if I’m in that position,” Horford added.

Barring a significant change to how Boston has played thus far in the postseason or the availability of Joel Embiid, it seems likely the Florida alumnus will be, so let’s hope he takes those lessons and puts them to work in Game 2.

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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Breaking down the Boston Celtics’ Game 1 collapse to the Philadelphia 76ers

After starting off the tilt strong and taking a 12-point lead during the second half of the game, the Boston Celtics lost 119-115 to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1.

After starting strongly and taking a 12-point lead in the second half, the Boston Celtics lost 119-115 to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

A few costly possessions late in the game ultimately burned the Celtics. One was a broken play between star forward Jayson Tatum and veteran guard Marcus Smart on one of the game’s final possessions. Another was a bad turnover by Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon as the team desperately scrambled to get a shot up before a 24-second violation would have been called by the officials.

What went wrong for Boston in the first contest of the East semis vs. Philly, and what can they change going to Game 2 to ensure it does not happen again?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” Bobby Manning and Josue Pavon discuss onsite at TD Garden following the Celtics’ loss.

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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“We had a mediocre game,” vs. 76ers, said Jaylen Brown postgame, “and we lost”

“A lot of stuff didn’t work,” said Brown. “That’s the playoffs, that’s basketball.”

After the Boston Celtics dropped Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal with the Philadelphia 76ers, Jaylen Brown summed up the root cause succinctly.

“We turned it over too much, but, defensively, we just couldn’t get a stop,”  Brown told the media postgame (via NBC Sports Boston). “(They) had a lot of guys who made some tough shots starting with (James) Harden, but we’ve got to be better on defense.”

One of the criticisms of Boston’s defense came from Celtics Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, who related the team doubled Harden too much.

“A lot of stuff didn’t work,” echoed Brown. “That’s the playoffs, that’s basketball. (We’ll) make adjustments, and get ready for the next one”

Brown downplayed the notion that star Sixers big man Joel Embiid sitting played a role in the loss, however.

“We talked about it,” he said. “They just came out more prepared than we did, and they played their (expletive) off, and they had a great game.”

“We had a mediocre game,” added Brown for emphasis, “and we lost.”

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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