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Boston Celtics Dealing with an Illness Prior to 76ers Game

By Joshua Bateman

BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 6: Kyrie Irving #11 and Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics look on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 6, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 6: Kyrie Irving #11 and Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics look on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 6, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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An illness could keep the Boston Celtics shorthanded against the 76ers

The Boston Celtics already got news that Kyrie Irving was going to be questionable fo the game against the Philadelphia 76ers with shoulder soreness, but he was joined by two other people on the injury report. Both Guerschon Yabusele and Marcus Smart are also questionable with an illness for tonight’s game (Via Celtics Blog).

It is always tough to gauge the status of players when the only information we get is an illness. Fortunately, the Celtics do not have to worry too much about missing Yabusele, because he has been stuck on the bench for a while.

On the other hand, the combined risk of missing both Irving and Smart is a major concern. The Celtics know they should be able to overcome adversity and still beat a team like the 76ers, but missing the two of them could threaten a lot of what they want to do on both ends, and could mean far too many minutes for Shane Larkin than anyone is comfortable with.

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Terry Rozier would be the next man up in that situation, and that is not the worst thing. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands. and has proven that he can run the offense. The problem is that he does not instigate a lot of ball movement, and if he goes out and tries to replace Irving’s scoring by himself, the Celtics could be in a lot of trouble.

That being said, when you have someone like Al Horford to help facilitate, you can be confident that the offense will function well enough to beat the 76ers. The real problems come with the second unit. Depth is one of the bigger advantages the Celtics have on the 76ers, but you can toss that away if the only ball handlers left are Rozier and Larkin.

The Celtics have seen both Rozier and Larkin give great sparks off the bench, but it is a completely different world trying to run an offense on a consistent basis. There simply is not enough trust if the team is left with the two of them, and that could transform how Brad Stevens approaches this game.

The Celtics need to bounce back and avoid back to back loses, but they will once again find themselves in a far too difficult position if both Smart and Irving are missing the game. The Celtics still know they can win, but it would turn into one of the more difficult situations of the season if both of them are out.

Next: Is Brad Stevens Coach of the Year Favorite?

The Celtics have seen what happens when they make things more difficult on themselves, and they will need a great collective effort if they are going to get comfortable with both Smart and Irving sidelined.

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