Celtics-76ers: Just Another Grind 'Em Out Series
BOSTON (CBS) – If you thought the Celtics had a tough time with the Hawks, just wait for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Celtics and 76ers kick off their playoff series Saturday night in the Garden, just another chapter in the two team's historic rivalry.
But, don't count on this series to be a Larry vs. Dr J. or Russell vs. Chamberlain revamp. And why would you want that? You've seen how Hollywood is handling remakes now-a-days.
This is going to be a grind 'em out, defense-centered series. With the Celtics, that is to be expected. They only hit triple digits once in their six games against Atlanta, while keeping the Hawks to an average of 82 points. As for Philly, the offensive numbers are even more staggering (just look at their 79-point, series clinching win over the Bulls). After scoring 109 points in Game 2 against the Bulls, they broke 80 just once in the following four games.
While hosting the eighth seed in the second round, with home court advantage, may appear to be a dream-come-true for Boston, Philly is no slouch. Yes, they only advanced because Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah went down for Chicago (although they probably could have beat the Bulls if just one of those Bulls went down anyways), but they certainly had Boston's number in the regular season.
The 76ers took two of the three regular season matchups, although the final scores of those games can be thrown out the window. None of the three matchups were decided by less than 16 points, and when the Sixers had their way with the Celtics in their two Philadelphia meetings during the regular season, the Celtics were on the back-end of back-to-backs. The second time it wasn't so sunny in Philadelphia for Boston was the end of an eight-game road trip. The Celtics had actually put up a fight in the March 23 99-86 loss, but all the fight left them when swingman Mikael Pietrus went down hard with a concussion.
The greatest concern for the Celtics heading into the series, as it has been all season and will be throughout the rest of the playoffs, is health. Paul Pierce drove to the basket Thursday night against the Hawks, but his MCL sprain has him wearing two braces on his left knee, and was more than apparent whenever he attempted a jumper. Ray Allen's ankle is still a day-to-day drama, although his play since his return could have fooled everyone (minus that 1-for-7 effort in Game 6).
Read: Pierce: 'I Expect To Play' Game 1
It won't help that the 76ers are made up of young and quick players riding a playoff high after beating the Bulls. They have the youth, and fresh legs, that gave the Celtics issues during the regular season. What the Celtics have going for them in this case is experience. Philadelphia had not won a playoff series since 2003, and many of their players are experiencing the playoffs for the first time.
The series will come down to turnovers. If the Celtics turn the ball over, the 76ers are going to kill them in transition. Doc Rivers knows this.
"We've got a bunch of gazelles coming in here; they only beat us by 1,000 in two of our three games," he said after the Celtics beat the Hawks to move on. "I can tell you the key to the series right now is we can't turn ball over. If we do, it's a guaranteed basket against them."
Expanded Coverage: NBA Playoffs
The most intriguing matchup will be that of the point guards. All of Boston knows what Rajon Rondo can, and can't, do. After having to deal with Jeff Teague for five games, now he gets Jrue Holiday, who only averaged a team-high 18.2 points against the Bulls. He isn't the assist-man that Rondo is, but the kid can score, and his quickness will present some problems.
When he does pass, Holiday has plenty of options. That is the problem the Celtics will have with Philly; much like Atlanta, they don't have one super star that will take over the game. They have an arsenal of scorers, any of which can go off on any given night.
"It's not about one guy taking a shot," Ray Allen said Friday. "Those are the teams that are more dangerous because you have an all-around attack."
Read: Celtics Ready For 'Dangerous' And 'Confident' Sixers
Along with Holiday in the front court is second-year guard Evan Turner (the #2 overall pick last year) and eight-year Sixer Andre Iguodala, who at 28 is the savvy vet of the bunch. It will be a fun to watch Avery Bradley and Turner go head-to-head, and Pierce and Iguodala never disappoint. AI saved his best for last against the Bulls, dropping 20 points and hitting the game-winning free throws in their Game 6 clincher.
Down low, Kevin Garnett and Brandon Bass will have Elton Brand and Spencer Hawes. On paper, those matchups should favor the Celtics, but Bass has yet to earn his stripes for Boston in the playoffs. With Garnett playing the way he has, it hasn't matter. But the Philly owners won't be calling KG out, and it's unclear how many members of the media will be calling him 'old' anymore. If the OLD Kevin Garnett keeps it up, the Celtics have the edge down low. That is as long as Philly doesn't use their secret weapon of Tony Battie (sorry, had to get that in there somehow).
Read/Watch: KG Dominates Hawks, Responds To Owners' Remarks
Not to be forgotten is Philadelphia's Lou Williams, their scorer off the bench. He struggled against Chicago, but the Celtics bench has been shaky – to put it nicely – thus far this postseason. If Williams finds his shot he could be the difference in this series.
The series is tough to gauge, because the Sixers (and Celtics for that matter) are tough to gauge. This will not be pretty basketball (if you want those 100-point games, stay up late for the Western Conference tilts) but it will be an enjoyable series for defensive nuts.
KG put it best on Friday:
"This will be a series of the small things; the 50-50 balls, the rebounding wars, who has less turnovers, execution," he said. "Things of that such that come down to make the games what they are."
The Celtics will have their hands full, even more so than they did with Atlanta. If they can run with the Sixers, protect the ball, and lock down on defense, they'll be Eastern Conference Championship bound.
It just might take them seven games, and a lot of pepto for their fans.
