Celtics at 76ers
THE STORY: After delivering one of their top
performances of the postseason, the Boston Celtics seek to take a 3-1
lead in their second-round series with Philadelphia when they visit the
76ers in Friday’s Game 4. Boston led by as many
as 27 points in posting a 107-91 win on Wednesday while answering
critics who had pegged the Celtics as ripe to be upset by the younger
76ers. Philadelphia needs a strong bounce-back effort to even the
series.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE CELTICS:
Forward Kevin Garnett has
turned back the clock with a string of solid playoff performances and
has four consecutive double-doubles. He is averaging 23.7 points and
12 rebounds against the 76ers after recording 27 points
(on 12 of 17 shooting) and 13 rebounds in Game 3. Point guard Rajon
Rondo has dished out 27 assists with just two turnovers over the last two games. Rondo had 23 points and 14 assists in Game 3. Forward Paul
Pierce’s gimpy left knee didn’t prevent him from
posting 24 points and 12 rebounds in Game 3 after averaging just 10.5
points over the first two games. Boston committed just seven turnovers
in the impressive victory.
ABOUT THE 76ERS:
Forward Thaddeus Young had his
best outing of the postseason with 22 points but several Philadelphia
players struggled in the Game 3 loss. Starters Spencer Hawes, Evan
Turner and Elton Brand were a combined 4-for-24
shooting and totaled just 11 points. All-Star Andre Iguodala had just 10
points and two assists in his worst game of the series. Philadelphia
badly needs a breakout game from explosive backup Lou Williams, who is
shooting just 32.4 percent from the field. Williams
had 13 points in Game 3 for his best scoring output of the series.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Philadelphia had won four consecutive home playoff games before Boston’s decisive Game 3 victory.
2. Celtics forward
Mickael Pietrus provided a boost with 13 points in Game 3 for his first
double-digit outing of the postseason.
3. Sixers guard Jrue Holiday has made seven of 10 3-point attempts while averaging 16.5 points over the last two contests.