11/9/12
Last year the Celtics ended the 76ers season in Game 7 of
the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Albeit this is game five of the regular
season, the 76ers wanted to make a statement early in the season. They did not
forget last year’s playoff disappointment and will build on that disappointment
every game they play against the Celtics. Coming into the season, both teams
have had a makeover with their roster, especially the bench. This game between
the two teams was evenly matched with both teams having a 2-2 record. On the
injured list for the Celtics was Avery Bradley, a terrific defensive guard. The
76ers were still without Jason Richardson, Kwame Brown, and Andrew Bynum.
The first half started out sluggish for the 76ers until they
found their shot by attacking the rim. The 76ers really got going once Kevin
Garnett was on the bench. They exploded to having their largest lead by 16 at
one point in the game. At the end of the half, the 76ers led 57-45. The
standout stars at the half for the 76ers were Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday.
Turner had 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Holiday
had 10 points and eight assists. Nick Young contributed with 10 points, all in
the first half. Thaddeus Young had eight points, three rebounds, and three
blocks. Spencer Hawes also chipped in with six points and five rebounds. For
the Celtics, Garnett and Rajon Rondo were the standout stars. Garnett had 14
points and four rebounds. Rondo had four points and eight assists. Paul Pierce
had eight points in the half.
Going into halftime, I expected Doc Rivers
and his Celtics to make some halftime adjustments and they sure did in the
second half. They were playing intense defense and started double teaming Holiday. Once the Celtics kept chipping into the 76ers
lead, the 76ers called timeout at various points in the half. Doug Collins is a
great in-game tactician as a coach and that showed tonight. When the Celtics
kept pressuring the 76ers on one side of the court, the 76ers were wide open on
the other side of the court and would hit their shots. The Celtics are a team
that never gives up and plays hard for all 48 minutes. The 76ers won by a final
score of 106-100.
The
standout stars for the 76ers were Dorell Wright, Turner and Holiday.
Wright had 12 points in the second half and finished the game with 15 points.
Turner and Holiday both had 11 points. Turner had
four rebounds in the half while Holiday had six
assists. Turner finished the game with a season-high 25 points, 11 rebounds,
and four assists. Holiday finished with 21
points, and 14 assists. Both of them had double-doubles in the game. Thaddeus
Young also finished the game with 15 points. The Celtics standout stars were
Pierce and Rondo. Pierce had 16 points and finished with 24. Rondo had 10
points and 12 assists and finished with 14 points and 20 assists, which is a
double-double. Garnett finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. He also had a
double-double. Jason Terry had 13 points in the game.
Overall, the 76ers had one of their best games of the year
shooting-wise. They shot 49% in the game and made over 50% of their
three-pointers. They also scored over 100 points or, better yet, over 90 points
for the first time this season. The only problem I had in the game was Holiday committing seven turnovers in the game. In order
for him to be included in the list of top point guards in the game, he has to cut
down on his turnover total. The Celtics need time to gel and they really need
to learn how to play solid basketball when Garnett sits on the bench. That’s
how teams have played well vs. the Celtics.
Will this game get
the 76ers shooting well consistently? Sound off and stay tuned for my next
entry when the 76ers travel to Toronto to play
the Toronto Raptors tomorrow.
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