Apr 18, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla watches from the sideline against the Atlanta Hawks during game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
James Harden torched the Celtics in Game 1 and at least one Boston player blamed the scoring explosion on his coach’s defensive scheme.
James Harden put together one of the finest playoff performances of his career in leading the 76ers to a Game 1 upset of the Boston Celtics. With Joel Embiid out, nursing a knee sprain, Harden put up 45 points and 6 assists, shooting 17-of-30 and 7-of-14 from beyond the arc.
In his prime, Harden could accomplish nearly anything he wanted on the offensive end, regardless of the defensive scheme keyed up to stop him. But he’s not quite the same player he used to be and Malcolm Brogdon had some pointed comments about how the Celtics did, or did not, make the right choices in trying to slow him down.
Is Joe Mazzulla to blame for the Celtics defense in Game 1?
Harden had just six assists in Game 1 so it wasn’t like excessive double-teams were always leading to immediate catch-and-shoot opportunities. But there was some of that and it was one of the reasons the 76ers ended up with 26 open and wide-open 3-point attempts in the game.
But both hard and soft doubles also often brought Al Horford into Harden’s orbit, which he was able to patiently turn into a switch and then attack in isolation.
The Celtics can certainly execute better on defense but they also don’t need to overreact to the best postseason game of Harden’s career. They had chances to win the game in the final minutes even with Harden going off and have to prepare for the possibility of Joel Embiid returning for Game 2. They’re in a hole but there is still a lot of basketball left to be played.
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