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Boston Celtics use Joel Embiid to break Philadelphia 76ers rhythm

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Joel Embiid had a great game one, but the Boston Celtics found a way to use that performance against the Philadelphia 76ers

The Boston Celtics surprised a lot of people with their game one victory against the Philadelphia 76ers, especially considering how well Joel Embiid played. He finished with 31 points 13 rebounds and five assists, with his most effective game of the season against Boston.

The Celtics continually left Embiid in one on one matchups, and then he would clear out the paint and attack Aron Baynes or Al Horford. It seemed strange that the Celtics kept allowing Embiid to attack a particular matchup, but it was a real part of why the Celtics won. The Celtics were not able to get good help on Embiid, but that was the plan the whole time.

The 76ers were the top scoring team in the first round, and were one of the most dangerous shooting teams in the league, because of how difficult it was to disrupt them. They have wings that are flying in transition, and using great off ball movement to find the open looks in rhythm that allows them to score so many points.

They have Ben Simmons and Embiid who open up as much space as anyone, putting the rest of the team in a great position to get easier buckets, while the two of them have to struggle through a lot more resistance from defenders.

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The problem for the 76ers is that when Embiid clears it out because of a matchup he wants to attack, it kills every other part of their offense. Even if Embiid is scoring by himself at a high rate, it is impossible for him to reach the same level of efficiency as when they are getting the easier buckets. Embiid had a fine game, and shooting 12-21 does not look like it is hurting the team.

That being said, when the Celtics shoot as well as they did, they have to find ways to supplement that kind of performance from Embiid, rather than continually going to that same clear out option in the post.

They need players cutting to the rim, opening up lanes for Simmons to hit players for layups, and have a chance at his own dunks. They need to play fast and with movement, because that is how they get the open looks that were so deadly against the Heat.

You cannot expect the 76ers to repeat their poor shooting performance, and maybe it would be possible for Embiid to do enough by himself in isolation if the Celtics did not shoot way over their heads as well.

That being said, if the 76ers think these percentages will just automatically even out, they will never be their best in this series. There will certainly be times the 76ers need Embiid to manufacture points, but that is the game the Celtics want him to play.

They have strong defenders who will be able to disrupt him at times and the bottom line is that it is too difficult for any individual to sustain the offense like that. The Celtics are baiting the 76ers into attacking in a very one dimensional way, and it is one of the many reasons the 76ers could not get in rhythm and find the three point shooting that made them so dangerous in game one.

The Celtics know they have to make up for the talent discrepancy against the 76ers, and they are trying to use Embiid to make sure that gap does not appear to be as bad. The 76ers have a lot of talent to embrace, but they cannot get contributions across the board. and will ultimately end up limiting themselves.

If the 76ers figure out how to make sure Embiid is able to attack when he is in a favorable position, without limiting their opportunities at easy bucks and open threes, then the 76ers should be too much for the Celtics to overcome.

That being said, the Celtics are pushing them to play in a way that prevents them from being at their best. Most importantly, he found a way to drag the 76ers down, because Embiid is not going to win this series by himself.

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The frustrating part for the 76ers is that any time you see someone of the quality of Embiid with any individual matchup, you want him to exploit it. If the 76ers do not figure out a way to exploit that kind of defense, without getting everyone else involved, Embiid could end up being the top player in a losing effort this second round.

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