Boston Celtics: 3 keys to game-one victory today over Philadelphia

Celtics Key No. 3) Don’t forget about Shake Milton

While we did, in fact, discuss in the first slide that a massive emphasis on defense should be zeroed in on Joel Embiid, they must not forget about the Philadelphia 76ers’ breakout point guard, Shake Milton.

Coming into the season as somewhat as a mere role player, due to various injuries the team endured this season, Milton was able to slowly but surely secure more playing time than he managed to average in his 2018-19 rookie season (13.4 minutes).

2019-20 became somewhat of the “Shake Show” in Philly, as Milton found himself averaging career highs all across the board. Through 40 games played (24 of which were starts), the guard put up solid averages of 9.4 points, 2.6 assists, and two boards a game on 48 percent shooting from the floor and 43 percent shooting from deep.

Post the All-Star break and onward, however, was his real coming-out party to the NBA, averaging 13.3 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.4 rebounds while dropping in his shots at spectacular shooting clips of 52 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from deep.

Again, while we emphasized that the gameplan for Philadelphia will likely run through Embiid, Milton will certainly be filling in as the team’s number two option while Simmons rehabs from his surgery.

His offensive capabilities must not go unnoticed by the shamrocks. If given an opportunity, he’d likely find his rhythm quite early and, in turn, could lead to serious trouble down the stretch.