The Celtics will look to close out the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center tonight at 8 PM. Currently holding a one game advantage and with a potential game 7 looming at the TD Garden, Philadelphia will try to step on the gas and take advantage of the transition game.
Tonight the Boston Celtics will be missing one of the top young defensive guards in the league, Avery Bradley. In his place, the Hall of Famer Ray Allen. The change of efficiency in the first unit will decrease slightly defensively due to Bradley's absence, but the second unit will suffer much more depending on the rotations Doc uses tonight. The loss of Bradley means more minutes for Keyon Dooling, while constantly gyrating on defense makes him look ridiculous, it is his offensive production that worries Celtics fans more. Contrary to the worries about production from Rajon Rondo, over the past three postseasons, he has averaged 16.1 pts, 8.9 asts, 4.4 rbds, 2 stls and shooting 46% in closeout games. It is likely tonight that Rondo will share the ball handling responsibilities with Paul Pierce, because they have no one else once Rondo goes to the bench.
What To Focus On:
Rebounding
Always a key statistic in NBA playoff games, especially in this series. The leader in rebounds has won four of the five games in this series thus far and has the ability to control the tempo.
Points in the Paint
The Celtics have been able to secure a one game advantage thanks to big performances by big time players. The thing that they have lacked both during the season and in the postseason, is depth at the bigs' spots. This should have been, and should be a point of emphasis for the 76ers to play inside out basketball by finding Hawes, Brand and Iguodala in the paint.
Brandon Bass
Game 5 was by far the best performance of Brandon Bass's professional career, thanks in large part to an 18 point third quarter. When the Celtics traded away Glen Davis and Von Wafer this past off season, this is the type of prowess they hoped he could show. With a player option for next year, Bass may be playing his way to a contract extension in this playoffs. If he can attack and continue to be a presence on the offensive end, Bass will undeniably help space the floor and allow Ray Allen and Paul Pierce to attack.
Game 5 was by far the best performance of Brandon Bass's professional career, thanks in large part to an 18 point third quarter. When the Celtics traded away Glen Davis and Von Wafer this past off season, this is the type of prowess they hoped he could show. With a player option for next year, Bass may be playing his way to a contract extension in this playoffs. If he can attack and continue to be a presence on the offensive end, Bass will undeniably help space the floor and allow Ray Allen and Paul Pierce to attack.
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