Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Film Room: Recalibrating Celtics' Defense for Game 2 Against Sixers
The Celtics are 4-3 in their first seven playoff games and surrendering 116.3 points per contest, the most of any team left in the postseason, per NBA.com.
Their shortcomings at that end are due to a disastrous blend of a lack of adjustments and poor execution that often raises questions about their focus and physicality.
In Boston's 119-115 loss on its home floor to a Sixers team missing Joel Embiid, the hosts repeatedly let James Harden step into open threes. Poorly executed drop coverage resulted in the former MVP drilling 7/14 shots beyond the arc, three less than the Celtics made despite 12 fewer attempts.
If Boston wasn't willing to scrap its drop coverage, the defending Eastern Conference champions needed their big men to raise their pick-up points to meet Harden as he came downhill.
In the fourth quarter of the Celtics' Game 6 win against the Hawks, Trae Young went 0/7 from the field, took only two threes, and Boston held him to two points in a period he played the entirety of.
An essential ingredient to that success was whether it was Al Horford, Robert Williams, or Grant Williams, the big man stepping up, positioning himself to contest a potential shot behind the arc, but leaving enough space to challenge Young at the rim if he attacked off the dribble.
But in its series-opening loss to Philadelphia, what transpires in the play below happened too often.
Whereas Robert Williams was closer to the three-point line in the clip of him blocking Young at the basket, Horford's back near the nail, standing at the elbow as Harden steps into a clean look at a three.
The problem persisted throughout the night.
Here, it looks like a potential Chicago action with Harden coming off a pindown from P.J. Tucker into a dribble handoff with Paul Reed. Instead, Tucker steps forward to seal off Marcus Smart. The Time Lord's in drop coverage, taking him out of the equation on the exchange to Harden.
When Reed comes back to set a screen for the three-time scoring champion, effectively picking off Jayson Tatum, Williams is too far back to close out and disrupt Harden's shot, which he capitalizes on for three of his game-high 45 points.
In the play below, Tucker screens for his former Rockets running mate just below the logo. That brings Horford by the three-point line. But then he retreats, and with Jaylen Brown picked off, Harden knocks down another open look beyond the arc.
Lastly, in the following instance, even after Brown does well fighting over the pick, taking advantage of the space Harden and Tucker afford him, with Horford again at the elbow, Tucker and Harden flip the screen, and the latter makes the Celtics pay for their approach again.
When Boston's in drop coverage against Harden, the pick-up points have to be higher.
The defending Eastern Conference champions could also benefit from switching on screens for Harden more than they did in the series opener.
Tucker sets another outstanding screen in the play below, separating Smart from Harden. But Brown jumps out to meet the latter at the three-point line, funnels him to Smart, then avoids fouling as the ten-time All-Star's shot ricochets off the back rim.
The Celtics switching more so Harden inflicts less damage makes it easier to downsize. That's a more effective way to match up with Philadelphia if Embiid's out or when he's off the floor. And if the newly minted MVP, who Shams Charania of The Athletic reported is "on track" to make his series debut on Wednesday, suits up for Game 2, having more speed on the floor still might be a net positive.
The key will be team rebounding to limit the Sixers' second-chance opportunities. As illustrated in a regular-season film study highlighting how Boston defends Embiid, Grant Williams effectively accomplishes what's asked of him in that battle.
But his 4.6 rebounds per contest this campaign represents a career-high; the hosts have to hunt rebounds collectively, with guards and wings helping halt Philadelphia's possessions. That's even more important if downsizing doesn't include the former Tennessee Volunteer, who struggled when switching onto Harden in Game 1, resulting in him playing only four minutes.
And if Harden catches fire again on Wednesday, along with switching more frequently and elevated pick-up points in drop coverage, should the Celtics send the double team, it has to come with more force than this.
With Horford sliding down and away to prevent the seven-time All-NBA member from turning the corner, Harden has too much space and no trouble sending a pass through the double team to De'Anthony Melton.
Brown should zone two, and Tatum should be closer to Tobias Harris. But the former tight to Reed, Melton facing up draws Tatum, creating an open three for Harris.
On a positive note, someone who showed he deserves more opportunities to guard Harden is Malcolm Brogdon. The Sixth Man of the Year has the size, strength, and mobility to make it harder for the former MVP to create separation.
Here, Brogdon's aided by it being late in the shot clock, but when he switches onto Harden, he meets the latter at the three-point line, stays on the balls of his feet, and disrupts the three-point attempt, resulting in a 24-second violation.
Whoever's guarding Harden, this can't happen, especially not late in the game.
Here's the effort and determination Brown and Co. need to maintain.
Brown fighting over the top of the screen and Robert Williams scooching closer to the three-point line dissuade Harden from launching a three, even though he's going in the direction of his shooting hand, giving him more separation from his defender. And when he snakes to the middle of the floor, Brown works to recover, gets back in front, and challenges Harden's shot, which clangs off the front rim.
Elevated pick-up points; properly executed switches, which allow the Celtics to capitalize on being faster than the Sixers and match up better when Embiid's off the floor, especially if he's inactive, and also operating with purpose on double teams. Plus, perhaps having Brogdon guard Harden more in Game 2.
If Boston does that, plays with the necessary focus and force, and doesn't commit 20 turnovers again, it should even this series.
Further Reading
Celtics Address Letting Guard Down in Game 1 Loss to Sixers Team Missing Joel Embiid
Jayson Tatum Reflects on Game 1 Loss to Philadelphia 76ers
Jaylen Brown Discusses Celtics and Sixers Rivalry, Bill Russell's Legacy
Here's What We Know About the Celtics-Sixers Second-Round Schedule
