Blake Griffin Credits Sixers' Lack of Adjustments for Success

While shorthanded on Wednesday night, the Boston Celtics banked on starting Blake Griffin for the tenth time this season. Griffin might not be an everyday contributor for Boston, as he’s appeared in just 22 in 54 of the Celtics’ matchups leading up to Wednesday night’s game, but he ended up being one of their most prominent players on the floor against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Straight from the jump, Griffin made a statement with his shooting. In the first five minutes he spent on the floor, Griffin got up three successful shots. All three of those attempts happened to be from beyond the arc. The veteran was responsible for nine of the Celtics’ 30 first-quarter points.

Griffin got two more open three-point attempts in the second quarter. However, those shots didn’t fall. Regardless of going scoreless in three minutes during the second quarter, Griffin’s shooting in the first half was a big boost for Boston.

And the veteran big wouldn’t slow down in the second half. During his six-minute shift in the third quarter, Griffin took three shots from beyond the arc, knocking down all but one of his attempts for six points. He wouldn’t take any more shots in the fourth quarter, but Griffin still ended up with 15 points by draining five of his eight threes.

5 threes for Blake Griffin ‼️

👀: 15 PTS, 5/7 3PM

Celtics lead 72-64 on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/z8OH621EZq
— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2023

After the game, Griffin summed up his success to an ideal spacing and a lack of adjustments from Philadelphia’s end.

“When a team leaves you open like that, you just got to try to make them pay,” Griffin explained. “I was just shooting open shots all night. So, it was nice to see some go through.”

The Sixers weren’t necessarily focusing on Griffin’s shooting from beyond the arc. As he’s averaged just 27 percent from three between this season and the last, the Sixers didn’t seem the least bit concerned about his shooting, even when he had a few makes early on.

“I don’t really take it as disrespect,” Griffin finished. “That was their gameplan. Obviously, Doc makes that gameplan. They didn’t adjust, which has been sort of a thing. No disrespect, though.”

The Celtics had an overall stellar shooting night against the Sixers. As a team, they knocked down 53 percent of their shots. From deep, they drilled 54 percent of their attempts. In the end, the Celtics took down the Sixers 106-99.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.