NBA: Irving Gala too much for Sixers

After the home defeat of the Detroit pistons, the Boston Celtics rehabilitated themselves and beat the Philadelphia 76ers with 108:97. The best man was Kyrie Irving, who scored at will. Daniel Theis also delivered some good minutes again and excelled in the defence.

The Sixers did without Joel Embiid in the back-to-back, but got off to a good start. The Celtics didn’t seem to be awake yet and needed a lot of start-up time. Only Al Horford and Kyrie Irving were responsible for scoring, while the second unit was of little use. Just before the break, Boston was able to pull away in the last two minutes thanks to an 11:3 run. Irving initiated this with six points at a time.

After the switch, however, the Sixers fought their way back into the game, thanks in particular to the hot shootings (6/9 threesomes in the third quarter) of downtown. But this time the reservists did better and started a run around the hot Marcus Morris, which brought Boston back the lead and a small cushion in front of the fourth quarter (76:71). The hosts didn’t give them any more and finally decided the game clearly.

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Irving led his colours with 36 points (12/21 FG, 5/8 threesomes), Horford (21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks) showed all facets of his game. Jayson Tatum also played well with 15 points (6/11 FG). Jaylen Brown (2.1/6 FG) was not a factor at all. The situation was different with Daniel Theis, who only had 14 minutes to 4 points (2/3 FG), 8 rebounds and a strong 3 blocks.

Among the guests, Ben Simmons could not dominate like last time. He scored 13 points (6/14 FG), 6 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 5 Steals, but also 5 Turnover. Dario Saric played 18 points and 10 rebounds. Coming from the bank Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot also delivered a good shooting (11,3/4 threesome).

Boston could once again rely on the good defense. Philadelphia was, as in the first encounter, kept below 100 points. Especially in setplay the Sixers had difficulties to create good litters. At the break, the guests had only pocketed 39 percent of their attempts (at the end 41.7 percent). In addition, the Celtics showed themselves to be disciplined and hardly committed any foul at all. The Sixers marched to the line only four times in 24 minutes. Only after the change the Sixers got a few whistles, but had problems to use the free throws (only 11/18 FT).

Points were mainly generated after ball losses. Untypically for Celtics, they lost the spalding 16 times (just 12 turnovers in the first half alone). From this the Sixers scored 17 points. But Philly didn’t take the ball very seriously either and ended up with 19 possessions without a final score.

Both teams rank among the top four teams in the league when it comes to defending the threesome (32.9 and 33.0 percent respectively). However, there was little to see. The Sixers met 50 percent of their litters (16/32) from outside and Boston also had some open opportunities. Especially in the corner, shooters were free again and again, but they could not make use of their chances (1/6). However, coach Stevens will have been more than satisfied with 41.4 percent (12/29).

The Sixers remain something like Celtics’ favorite opponent. It was the 13th. Victory in 14. Play for Boston.

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Kyrie Irving. On an evening where every point of Celtics had to be fought hard, Uncle Drew scorte as an exception with ease. His threesome, so far rather shaky (35.5 percent), fell this time very well. Once again he delivered Highlight Plays on the assembly line with breathtaking moves on the basket. He kept the Sixers at a distance, even in the fourth quarter.

Robert Covington. After a hot start to the season, the forward cooled down a bit and could not finish his mini slump. After his weak performance against the Cavs, he didn’t get much of a chance against the Celtics from outside (2 airballs). It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that Covington woke up a little, but it was actually too late. So he still managed to score 11 points (4/13 FG, 3/10 threesomes). In the Defense he was supposed to check Irving, here too he scarcely experienced success.

The big question was who would Brad Stevens put on Ben Simmons. Some had reckoned with Jaylen Brown, but most of the time it was Horford who was supposed to contain the Australian’s circles. He did this at the first game in Philadelphia and did a good job again, also because the help was quickly approaching behind Horford. Simmons hardly came to the ring and could shine almost exclusively in transition. Morris and Tatum were also allowed to try their luck against Simmons.