The Celtics Erased A 22-Point First Half Deficit To Take A 2-0 Series Lead Over The Sixers

After a Game 1 performance that saw everything break perfectly for the Boston Celtics, much of the basketball world (including the good folks in Las Vegas) anticipated an inspired performance from the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 on Thursday night. For much of the first half, that projection looked to be coming true but, seemingly on a dime, the Celtics flipped the script again. When the final horn sounded, Brad Stevens and company emerged with a 108-103 lead to take a 2-0 series lead.

The Sixers got off to a flying start with 10 assists in the first quarter and J.J. Redick leading the way with lights-out shooting.

While Philadelphia led by only nine points after the first 12 minutes, the road team’s advantage quickly grew and, with 6:41 left in the first half, the Sixers snatched a 22-point lead. By any rational measure, that would place a team (especially one with Philadelphia’s level of talent) in a fantastic position but, from there, everything changed.

The Celtics closed the first half on a 25-8 run to climb within just five points and the energy, stemming from a few highlight plays, was on full display from the Boston faithful.

Despite the halftime break arriving at arguably an optimal time for the Sixers, the Celtics came out of the gates firing in the third quarter, taking the lead with 7:45 left in the period and generally dictating the action. In fact, Boston finished off a 50-20 overall run (dating back to the first half) to take an eight-point advantage. Rookie forward Jayson Tatum put a punctuation mark on what had been a full-on blitz.

To Philadelphia’s credit, that was as large as Boston’s margin was and the Sixers actually regained the lead at various points of the fourth quarter. Still, the Celtics proved to be too much in the closing moments, with another Tatum dunk pushing Boston to a six-point lead they would never relinquish. The clincher came when Al Horford blew by Joel Embiid to seal the win.

On the Sixers side, the story of the evening was the disappearing act by Rookie of the Year favorite Ben Simmons. He finished the night with only one point (on only four shot attempts) and, while Simmons played 31 minutes, he was visibly passive and Philadelphia was totally ineffective during his playing time. In fact, the Sixers were outscored by 23 points in his minutes and, with backup T.J. McConnell on the floor, Philadelphia’s offense flowed better in almost every facet.

That type of performance from a key cog, especially on the road, is almost impossible to overcome and, frankly, it was a wonder that the Sixers were able to thoroughly compete down the stretch. Robert Covington (22 points on 15 shots) and Redick (23 points) flanked Embiid (20 points, 14 rebounds, five assists) in allowing Philadelphia to hang around but, in the end, the Celtics were simply too much.

While there were plenty of heroes for the home team, six members of the Celtics reached double figures in scoring and that was fitting of a team-wide effort. Terry Rozier continued his hot streak in the postseason with 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while Marcus Smart (19 points), Tatum (21 points) and Horford (13 points, 12 rebounds, five assists) chipped in admirably.

As the series shifts to Philadelphia in front of what will surely be a raucous (and perhaps restless) crowd, the cards certainly appear to be stacked against the Sixers. Philadelphia is, of course, a very young team and the pressure of the moment will be real. Throw in the fact that the Celtics are 36-0 all-time in series when leading 2-0 (with Philly at 0-11 all-time in series when trailing by the same margin) and the uphill climb appears steep.

In some ways, it is easy to see why the Sixers were seen as Vegas favorites at the beginning of the series and those on-paper advantages still exist as the series changes venue. Still, the Celtics have one of the best coaches in the sport, a talented group that is playing with confidence and, of course, the benefit of a two-game cushion during a seven-game series. Game 3 will be a fun one.