NewsIndia

The Boston Celtics have taken a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Their success stems from an unprecedented reliance on 3-point shooting, which has reshaped expectations for the matchup. The absence of Joel Embiid due to an appendectomy has further complicated matters for the Sixers.

The Celtics have shot 55.9% of their shots from beyond the arc in this series. This rate marks the second-highest in playoff history. In contrast, the Sixers have struggled to keep pace, averaging just 14.7 transition points per game in this series compared to 25 during their regular-season meetings.

The impact of Embiid’s injury cannot be overstated. The Sixers averaged significantly more transition points when he was healthy. With him sidelined, they have found it challenging to maintain offensive momentum. In Game 2, the Sixers shot 49% from 3-point range but fell to just 28% in their two subsequent losses.

The Celtics’ ability to capitalize on their outside shooting has been pivotal. They outscored the Sixers by an average of 21.8 points per game from beyond the arc. Yet, they experienced a dip in performance in Game 2, shooting only 26%. Overall, they committed just 12.3 turnovers per 100 possessions, showcasing their efficiency.

Quotes on the series:

• The Sixers should be the desperate team, having lost home-court advantage on Friday night.
• There’s obviously some luck in the small sample sizes you get in the playoffs.
• The Celtics are living by the 3.

This series highlights how crucial outside shooting is in modern basketball. The Celtics’ strategy has paid off so far, while the Sixers must find ways to adapt without their star player.