Philadelphia’s star players were brilliant in Game 4. Each benefited from plenty of isolation looks, which Boston seemed unwilling to remedy. The Celtics have been weary of double teams in previous tilts, and perhaps informed their defensive inflexibility. Either way, Embiid and Harden took full advantage.
Harden was particularly good at picking apart Boston’s defense. He shot a smooth 16-for-23 from the field, sometimes pulling up right over his defender. He was also tremendous passing the ball, further stretching the Celtics on the perimeter. Embiid, meanwhile, was much more aggressive at the rim than he’s been in previous games this series. He hassled Boston’s bigs all night long. All told, Philly’s twin stars complimented each other exceptionally well, seriously stretching Boston’s defense for much of the game.
Again, the Celtics weren’t categorically dreadful on defense, certainly not all game long. And the team came within a few tenths of a second away from stealing a win on a Marcus Smart 3. But looking back, the defense was just average enough to allow Philly to take control and earn a victory.
“It happens, man,” offered the Charlotte native, who had no truck with his opponents’ misstep despite the danger it had put him in. https://t.co/UHW76c93wE
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 7, 2023
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