Just when you think the season looks like it’s over, they pull you right back in.
After a close loss in Game 3 and getting trounced in Game 4, the Sixers came back with a vengeance to take Game 5 on the road in Boston, winning 113-97.
It took until the start of the fourth quarter for the Sixers to take their first lead. There were some cold shooting spells in the first half as well as some fairly flat defense, yet they showed their resolve to keep competing and remain composed. In the second half they ramped up at both ends of the floor, and it was in the fourth quarter with elimination on the line that they executed excellently.
The Sixers dominated the final period 28-11, with the Celtics going an almost unbelievable 3-of-22 from the floor. Meanwhile, Philly shot 9-of-17, took good care of the ball, had key buckets from Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Quentin Grimes when they needed them, and their defense locked in.
Put all that together, and the Sixers fought their way to the largest road playoff win in NBA history by a team that trailed entering the fourth quarter.
Now let’s talk about the man who dominated to turn this series around, and whose return could be enough to take this to seven games.
It was an all-time, character defining playoff performance for Embiid. Far beyond what you should expect from someone who just returned mid series after having an emergency appendectomy only 10 days before the start of the playoffs. As our Paul Hudrick wrote when reflecting on Embiid’s night, Jo’s toughness was certainly on full display.
Embiid finished with 33 points on 12-of-23 shooting in just under 39 minutes, eight assists to three turnovers, and a 9-of-10 mark from the free throw line. After struggling to get his jumpers to fall early on from range, he spent more time inside as the game progressed and put on a clinic in the post. Face-up drives, spins, fadeaway jumpers, nifty fakes under the basket to create easier finishes… You name it, Embiid had everything working against anyone the Celtics threw at him.
Clearly the Sixers could use more of the same heading into Game 6. Apart from how Embiid could get his own against the Celtics’ bigs, we also saw yet again how his gravity could open up space for others. When second defenders stunted towards him or he drew double teams, he calmly made extra passes to keep the offense humming and find the likes of Maxey, Paul George and Grimes in space.
How the Celtics approach him in Game 6, how they use double teams and where they send help from will be essential to monitor. Boston doesn’t have anyone who can comfortably handle Embiid one-on-one. And when he isn’t attacking in isolation, he can collapse the defense and generate open looks from three for his teammates or chances for them to attack late closeouts. It worked in Game 5 — the Sixers just need to keep taking those chances to take this series to Game 7.
Embiid’s return also brought back his two-man game with Maxey, which the latter sure could use after the offensive load he’s had to carry so far this series while struggling somewhat with his jumper. Whether it’s their pick-and-roll play, dribble hand-off action, or how Maxey can relocate into space as Embiid pulls in the defense, it’s easier for Maxey to get open.
Another huge difference maker in Game 5 was Grimes. He scored 18 points on only eight field goal attempts to lead the second unit and shot 4-of-7 from three, all while applying fierce pressure with his on-ball defense.
It was easily Grimes’ best game of the series so far, and after showing some improvement already with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting in Game 4 after a quiet first three games, it’ll make a real difference if he can keep this going in Game 6. Beyond how his defense helped contain Jaylen Brown and others, Grimes simply hitting shots makes it much easier for the Sixers’ offense to stay balanced through quieter games from guys like VJ Edgecombe.
Just look at how Grimes smothered Brown on this possession. Grimes forced Brown to essentially waste the whole shot clock with his excellent movement on the ball and physicality.
The Celtics ended up running a lot of isolation possessions in Game 5, and for the most part they had little success. Jayson Tatum was contained well enough with 24 points on 8-of-19 shooting, Brown finished with 22 points on 23 shots, and the Celtics’ cooler 28.2 percent shooting from three cost them as well.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Celtics change up their offensive approach much in Game 6, and if the Sixers can keep defending the perimeter as they did Tuesday. From Grimes’ play to how stellar George has been defensively all series (he also added 16 points, four triples, nine rebounds, seven assists, and two steals in Game 5), there’s plenty of strong play at that end to build on. If the Sixers can remained focused on defense overall and consistently pay attention to the simple details like boxing out (which they haven’t always done yet this series), they’re in good shape.
Maxey made it clear after Game 5 how motivated the Sixers were to recover from the ugliness of Game 4.
“The performance we put on for our fans the last time at home was a disgrace and unacceptable,” he said. “They deserve for us to come back home and play well.”
Now, the Sixers have that chance to go back home and force a Game 7. And if they get this version of Embiid again, they may well do it. When he’s this good, it’s that hard to find an answer for him.
If that kind of Embiid performance remains, the Sixers stay warm enough from three, Maxey builds off his improved 10-of-18 shooting night on Tuesday, George keeps thriving at both ends, and Grimes steps up again, there’s a lot to like about the Sixers’ Game 6 chances.
Game Details
When: Thursday, April 30, 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: Peacock
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers
Yordan Alvarez
Bryce Harper
Andrew Abbott
