Celtics vs. Sixers: three key matchups

It might need taken longer than many people anticipated, however the Boston Celtics booked their path to the Jap Convention semifinals after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 4-2 of their opening collection. But, whereas the Hawks offered a sterner take a look at than we envisioned, the Philadelphia 76ers mark a major step up in expertise.

After all, given the Celtics’ power in depth, the Sixers received’t maintain a bonus throughout the board, however possibly in a single or two areas; as such, listed below are three key matchups heading into the second-round collection.

James Harden vs. Marcus Sensible

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I don’t find out about you, however I’m all in on the matchup between Marcus Sensible and James Harden. An offensive maestro vs. a human singularity, it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how Harden and Sensible look to get the higher of one another.

Maybe Harden makes use of screening actions to get away from Sensible’s bulldog-like protection constantly, or possibly Sensible fights by means of the contact to hound Harden for each second he has the ball. After all, in contrast to Philadelphia, the Celtics boast quite a few on-ball defenders, so if Sensible is struggling to include the previous MVP, Joe Mazzulla can go to Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, or Malcolm Brogdon to attempt to fluster a participant who completed 2nd in assists per recreation behind solely Trae Younger.

In equity, Harden is a a lot better matchup for Sensible than Younger was, particularly by way of pace, unpredictability, and shot profile. As such, we will anticipate one of many key battles of the collection to occur on the guard place, with these two veterans going toe-to-toe.

Montrezl Harrell vs. Robert Williams

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We would not see this matchup right away if Joel Embiid is out of the Sixers’ rotation. Nevertheless, assuming Embiid returns in some unspecified time in the future within the collection, we’re going to see Montrezl Harrell and Robert Williams battle as the primary bigs off the bench. Whereas Harrell shouldn’t be an athletic phenom who stretches a group’s inside protection to the max, he’s a pitbull that wills his approach to the rim and creates points across the perimeter when working because the roll-man in actions involving somebody who can shoot off the dribble.

As Williams and Harrell face off, we are going to see two completely different types of basketball on show. One is a bodily model, the place power and abrasiveness are the names of the sport, whereas the opposite relies on screening, passing, and leaping into the sky. Whereas neither massive goes to single-handedly win a recreation for his or her group, each are able to turning the tide and creating momentum, so it will likely be attention-grabbing to see who will get the sting over their counterpart after they finally face off.

Tobias Harris vs. Jayson Tatum

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Generally, I really feel unhealthy for Tobias Harris. With such a excessive wage comes excessive expectations, and at instances throughout his tenure with the Sixers, it felt as if he was being miscast in his position. But, this season, Harris has discovered his position, though that has meant taking a step again in quantity for his group. A succesful three-level scorer, Harris can get you buckets whenever you want them, however he’s additionally a useful wing defender, particularly given his dimension and body.

Nonetheless, Harris goes to have one of many hardest jobs within the NBA: guarding Jayson Tatum. Certain, Tatum is susceptible to the occasional stinker, and odds are, he has a nasty outing no less than as soon as in the course of the upcoming collection. However, when he’s on his recreation, there aren’t many higher scorers, playmakers, and offensive initiators on the wing place than Tatum, and he makes use of all of these expertise to make your life a dwelling nightmare in the event you’re tasked with making an attempt to include him.

Harris is likely to be his group’s third choice, however on protection, he may have no selection however to protect a real star within the league. After all, Doc Rivers would possibly attempt placing PJ Tucker onto Tatum, however given his growing age and limiting mobility, that experiment initiatives to be short-lived. Total, Tatum ought to have the benefit over any wing matchup he faces within the upcoming collection, however Harris received’t simply roll over and settle for defeat.

Last Ideas

Philadelphia boasts a deep group that was re-constructed over the summer season to be able to contending for an NBA championship. Nevertheless, Boston’s roster has benefitted from some inside growth, sensible entrance workplace strikes, and the evolution of their offensive strategy.

These two rivals know one another properly, and that may solely serve to make sure a aggressive collection throughout the board. Nevertheless, the Celtics have expertise oozing all through their roster, and if they continue to be targeted night-in night-out, they need to be greater than able to reserving their spot again within the convention finals.