They wouldn't be the Sixers if they didn't kick you in the behind just when you started to give up hope. In what had to be the most improbable comeback of my lifetime, the Sixers took a 14-0 start and spat it out. They took a horrific ending to the first half that saw them trailing by 15 and laughed it off. They took an 18-point, third-quarter deficit and gave it the finger. They simply would not be denied. They simply would not quit when everything and everyone said they should. (
Here's your rotation chart. Note the two runs that nearly killed the Sixers, to start and end the first half. Then take a look at the entire second half. Not a single negative rotation in the bunch:
I'm going to start in an unlikely place: Evan Turner. Turner was atrocious tonight. 5/22 from the floor. He threw up enough bricks to build a couple of houses. If you're looking for a reason the team shot so poorly in the first half, he's right there at the top of the list. That being said, his play on the offensive end was a key to the win. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, considering how many shots he missed and had blocked, but his relentlessness set the tone for the entire team. It was almost comical. He was like Tanner in The Bad News Bears. The little guy, in a fight with with a bunch of bullies who kept getting knocked down and knocked down and knocked down, but he refused to stay down. He refused to stop attacking. Turner was bordering on out of control, but every time he touched the ball, he was going right to the rim. He didn't care if there were five Celtics waiting there to block his shot, he was going to attack the paint come hell or high water. Obviously, you'd prefer if the guy attacking the hoop was actually producing something out of those drives, but for whatever reason, his effort had a ripple effect. It's like the rest of the team watching him banging his head against the wall and they just knew they had to do the same. Boston got complacent with their lead. Happy to shoot jumpers. Turner and the Sixers didn't get caught up in that game. If I never see Turner throw up a dozen bricks again I'll die a happy man, but tonight, he set the tone.
The game began to turn on a couple of technical fouls in the third quarter. On the first, Kevin Garnett stole the ball at mid court, and then threw a forearm at Andre Iguodala. It was a cheap shot, though he didn't really appear to make much contact. On the very next play, the Celtics dumped the ball down to Garnett in the post with Brand on him. Garnett made a move across the lane and Brand paid him back in spades for the cheap shot on his teammate. Garnett got a forearm right to the face, Brand was whistled for a technical and Garnett played his favorite game "Someone hold me back! I'm a super-tough 150lb seven-footer. Hold me back!" The free throw gave the Celtics a 50-33 lead with 9:42 left in the third. Over the next 21:42, the Sixers would outscore the Celtics 59-33.
I spent the fist couple of paragraphs talking about emotional keys to the game, and I believe both were important, but there's plenty of real-world production to be thankful for as well. First, Doug Collins made a simple adjustment with his big man rotation. Aside from staring the first and third quarters, he mirrored Kevin Garnett with Lavoy Allen. Lavoy was brilliant on the defensive end. If you go back and look at the tape, whenever Garnett caught the ball in the post with anyone else on him, he'd take two or three dribbles and wind up backing his man down into the paint. When Lavoy was on Garnett, he moved in the opposite direction. When Garnett went up for shots, Lavoy was in his jock. The kid is absolutely fearless and Garnett doesn't have room to breath when he's in the game. It was a huge adjustment by Collins, and a great job by the kid to stay out of foul trouble.
Another great adjustment by Collins was his decision that he wasn't going to overreact to Boston's small lineup. Through the first three games of the series, when Rivers went to Pierce at the four, Collins mostly went small with Iguodala at the four to guard him. Not tonight. Tonight, he basically said "You're doing me a favor by going small." Tonight, he stuck with Allen at the five and Thad at the four when Boston went small, and it paid huge dividends. Thad was guarding smalls on the defensive end, usually Avery Bradley, and on the offensive end, he was torturing the Celtics with his offensive rebounding, interior passing and size advantage. Thad was a difference-maker in the second half for the Sixers, after seeming like the Celtics' best friend in the first half with three turnovers and at least three or four more fumbles or bad passes that luckily didn't wind up going the other way.
One more turning point came with 9:09 left in the third quarter. Jrue picked up his fourth foul and headed to the bench. Lou Williams came into the game, and I noted in the game thread that this was probably the end of the season. Collins really had no choice but to play Lou the remaining 9 minutes of the third quarter in a game that seemed to be slipping away. After a bad first half, Lou probably played the best half of his career in a situation when they needed him more than ever. Boston continued to double him, continued to play him physical, and instead of allowing himself to be pushed to the sideline, Lou split the doubles consistently, got into the lane and either drew contact or found an open teammate for a jumper when the defense converged on him. He was nearly flawless in the second half.
More kudos to Doug Collins for pressing the right button in the beginning of the fourth quarter. He went with the dreaded Lou, Meeks, Turner combination in the back court (and I ripped him for it), but Meeks was shot out of a cannon, especially on the defensive end where he caused a few turnovers and really locked in on Ray Allen. Jodie gave them a definite spark and even hit a three in a huge spot (off a drive-and-kick by Lou.).
And finally, after starting the game 0/5 from the field, Andre Iguodala absolutely put this game away with three huge jumpers late in the fourth. First, a catch-and-shoot three from the left wing, then a step-back deuce over Ray Allen, and finally the coup de grace, a catch-and-shoot three from the right wing with 36 seconds left on the clock to give the Sixers a 5-point lead, off of (you guessed it) a drive-and-kick by Lou Williams.
It's not nearly how you'd draw it up, but the Sixers will live to fight for a couple more days, at least. The pressure shifts squarely onto Boston's shoulders for game five, and their old guys had to play a ton of pressure-packed minutes in this one. Don't get too high, don't get too low. Great, great job tonight, but you're only halfway there. Do it again.
Player of The Game: Four viable candidates in Lavoy, AI9, Thad and Lou. Who am I to disagree with Iguodala, though. Lou gets the nod for his 15 big points, and 8 bigger assists.
Series: 2-2
Next Game: Monday night, at Boston.
So much happened in this game, I'm sure I left a bunch out. What a night. Enjoy your weekend, Sixers fans. Secure in the knowledge they'll be back for another game in Philly, and hope will still be alive no matter what happens in game five.
It took 10 games for it to show up, but this is how the Sixers bench was supposed to impact games. It might not be a coincidence that it showed up this deep in the playoffs, when you think about the minutes Boston's starters have logged to this point. Thad, Lavoy, Lou and Meeks all had a big impact on this game.
This was a crazy game. Left during the first quarter because this game was atrocious and it was already after 2AM. Anyway, went to bed, and listened to some podcasts on the smart phone. Kept an eye on the score. Ended up watching the 4th quarter on the smart phone in bed, at 5AM...
Great win! I just hope they can take some of this energy to Boston. They'll need it.
Turner and one of the Celtics are going to throw fists before this series is over...
Great writeup Brian. I like your point about ET. It was as though the rest of the team was saying to themselves "He ain't giving up, and he's playing like shit. What the hell, let's go for it." Turner's one of those guys who just finds a way - like that layup in the 4th qtr of Game 2. He wasn't playing all that great in that game either.
Anybody else think Rondo has a hard time guarding Lou?
Saying not to get too high is asking a lot
I was so glad to see Hawes on the bench. Thad was almost as important as Lou. He hustled, got second chances, and got to the basket. All the reasons he was rewarded with a big deal were on display tonight. Yes, he over-helped and airballed a jumper or two, but that's just Thad. He's done well to not leak out on the break too early which I thought he did too much during the season. He might be more effective as a trailer after attempting to secure a second chance than using his second gear to lead a break.
Thad really pissed me off with the turnovers, air balls and general lack of effort in the 1st half. He played un-Thad like. Thank goodness he turned it on at during crunch tIme with big slashing buckets in the lane and big time o boards for second chance points. Let's hope game 4 is a turning point for Thad in the playoffs. The Sixers need him back big time.
Good point about Turner. There is another aspect to what he was doing besides the emotional mindset: he was forcing the old Celtics to use energy to defend him. I liken it going to the body in boxing or keeping rallies alive in volleyball -- plays that don't pay immediate dividends but sap the opponent's energy and cause their form to break down later. I suspect that some of Garnett's missed jumpers and Pierce's turnovers were caused by fatigue from having to defend actively earlier in the game.
My stat of the day: during the regular season, the Sixers were 5-20 in games that had "clutch time" (margin 5 points or fewer with 5 minutes or less left in the game). In the postseason they are 5-1 in such games. That is the most shocking part of this crazy, crazy season ...
Game 4 video interviews: Thaddeus Young and Lavoy Allen on when Friday's Game 4 turned in their favor and working so well together:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_ygbMDDDic
Above and beyond the exciting game swings, the coaching counter-play has been very interesting.
1. Hawes abused by KG.
2. Allen shuts down KG.
3. Boston goes small with Pierce at PF and thrives when Sixers move Iggy to PF.
4. Sixers counter with Young at PF, but cross cover Iggy on PP and have Thad cover the SG with surprising dividends.
You can see the chess match summary by looking at the game flows. here was last nights:
http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20120518&game=BOSPHI
Here was game 3:
http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20120516&game=BOSPHI
Thad acting as a pseudo-facilitator in that 4th quarter, so surreal. Three sweet dimes to Lavoy on high-lows (one was more an across the lane feed in traffic). As terrible as Turner seemed, and was, I was dumbfounded when seeing the box on NBATV that he ended up with 16 points. Quietest, yet loudest (from all the empty forays and bricks), 16 points I've maybe seen. Would like to see Jrue get a portion of those 22 shots ET took going forward though. Jodie Meeks getting two really big steals (3 overall), and when he hit that triple with 8:49 left to finally get the lead was house-rocking.
Still, to shoot worse than the C's, make two less 3pters than the C's, miss 11 free throws while the C's only missed three of theirs, 5 lousy points and rebounds from our starting frontcourt, guess it came down to all those offensive rebounds and the thank-goodness-for-fast break points.
To even think back to that 1st quarter again this morning and remember how relentless and aggressive the Celtics were swarming around on D, getting their hands on so many balls while our guys were either dribbling or passing it, and then to watch our guys persevere late while the Celtics had the stunned/wilted looks on their faces which our guys seemed to have in that opening quarter, was something you can only marvel at. And just chalk it up and say basketball can be an ugly but oh-so beautiful game and why I love it so much.
I occasionally heed your advice but to the 'don't get too high' I say, F you man! :)
Just try and be like Lavoy Allen for a day.
I'm surprised anyone is too stoked after this win. Maybe I'm buying into the talking heads chatter, but the Celtics are an elite home team and the 76ers are not. The series is even in games won, but I'd give the Celtics the advantage over the next three. If Ray Allen or Elton come alive then maybe they are the wildcards, but they're too hobbled to realistically expect a throwback game.
The Celtics are not a deep team. My layman knowledge of basketball tells me that a key to Game 5 is Jrue overcoming Avery Bradley to initiate thr offense more quickly. Carry over of the excellent fourth quarter ball movement is a must. This is not a good half-court offense on an individual basis, but I feel they are amongst the best when they apply pressure and move the ball intelligently.
Is Evan Turner cocking his leg up for a huge fart on Paul Pierce's head? Looks like Evan is squeezing one out.
"The only way the Sixers can come back in this game is if Boston lets them."
You're surprised anyone is too stoked after this win?
I think that might be the dumbest thing I've ever heard anybody say. Ever.
And you've naturally supplied some form of rationale behind your statement as opposed to I, who blankly stated something inane.
opposed to me
Actually, a good feeling as a fan to have the weekend to gloat. Unfortunately, for the players boston gets to rest an extra day. Maybe, this will help Elton heal. I hope the Phillies sweep the sox and keep that good mojo going.
For anyone interested...
http://www.youtube.com/user/reborn4hd?feature=watch
Uploads games, by quarter, in pretty good definition.
http://www.hd-nba4life.com
Better link
Ahahahaha great quote by Doug and it is acutally uncensored for now in the video on Sixers.com - right at about 7:30, when he talks about his goal in life...
http://www.nba.com/sixers/video/2012/05/18/120518collinspostgamemov-2102807/index.html
Doug's the man
In hindsight, Lavoy was wildly underrated (e.g., ranked by DraftExpress as 54th best prospect in last year's draft). This happens and isn't surprising. But the strangest part is that he was thought to not have enough *physical strength* to match up at PF in the NBA.
The thing we're really going to worry about with this team though, and since we have a weekend to think about it i guess we might as well, is:
does this team currently have as much talent on their roster as they're ever going to?
Once this season ends, they're going to have to make decisions on Lou, 00, Meeks and now apparently Lavoy...and even if Brand gets amnestied, will they be able to net improve the roster without creating more holes than they fill?
This team kind of looks like the 07-08 Phils who had a couple of bad contracts (Burrell and the Adam Eatons and Freddy Garcias of the world), but also had elite players at or way below market value - before Jrue and ET have to get paid, will this team be able to add talent over the next season or two without falling into the Ruben Amaro trap of overpaying to fill holes while ignoring new ones that appear...
...woah and don't look now but somehow the Spurs are down 22 after one??
Story (with Lavoy Allen, Thaddeus Young video interviews): Allen, Young pull an inside job:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/sixers/young-allen-a-complementary-duo/article_5f48cc94-526f-598c-aa72-2139389626b0.html
Sunday column (with videos): Good luck trying to figure out this Sixers-Celtics series:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/sports_columnists/tom_moore/epic-comeback-win-doesn-t-ensure-carryover-effect/article_7dbb9d54-dd84-59d7-9c10-175bb9f41085.html
Nice write-up. I honestly thought the move to put Allen at center, along with Dre, ET, Thad, and Jrue should have been easier for Doug to see. One only needed to watch Lavoy play KG early in the series and it was obvious that he is the most effectice defensive presence at center. I have been begging for this line-up. Great win by this team, and nobody quit which was great to see.
Last night's game was so awesome, I still feel all warm and giddy as a result of it. So rewarding for it to end like it did, as so many seemed to still have hope throughout in the game thread.
What'd really be awesome is if anybody can knock down an open shot in game 5.
Well, the Sixers don't have the lowest-scoring quarter in the playoffs so far this year. Clippers scored 8 points in the third quarter today vs. the Spurs. How is that possible when you have 2 "superstars" on your team?
You have one step above Eddie Jordan as your coach.
Some interesting numbers in the J.Finger article on C.S.N.com about E.Turner and his production with more days off. He really needs to dedicate himself to getting in shape this summer. Maybe Iggy could take him under his wing as far as workouts and diet.
He had made comments at some point that where others in his "situation" turned to drinking he instead ate a lot of pizza. He definitely was not in good shape this season. I think this next offseason is going to be very good for him if he dedicates himself to an NBA training regimen.
I may never delete this game fm my dvr. I thought I was the only one who would say turner set the tone and made th team play better. He has the biggest ballzz on the team and when ur getting punked and ur boy just don't give a Fu$& and keeps fighting, u can't help but fight w him. I think sixers give up at the half if it ain't for turner
Anyone know our options for re-signing Lavoy? Are there certain salary regulations or weird clauses that exist or can he be signed for whatever a team feels like offering? Also, what kind of market do you expect for him this offseason. Thanks.
If the heat lose thi series handily, gotta think one of the big three will be available right? LeBon and Wade certainly aren't going anywhere...but Bosh? I could see him being a possibility.
Been discussed for weeks now
Wade would be the smarter move. Older. Testy. Injury prone. In the way. But would never happen
Not one, not two, not three....
/douches
Sixers notes (with Iguodala, Meeks video): Meeks uses end of Game 3 as springboard to strong Game 4 finish:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/sports_columnists/tom_moore/meeks-used-end-of-game-as-springboard/article_4df21a30-19a3-51a3-99f6-4cca8042f6c7.html
Main story (with Brand, Collins video interviews): Will extra day off help Sixers as much as Celtics?
http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/sports_columnists/tom_moore/will-extra-rest-help-sixers-or-celtics/article_1bb5d7de-dd36-5dec-878e-cf862ba33f99.html
“@DennisDeitch: EVAN TURNER
Reg Season
0-1 days: 8.5 ppg 41.7 FG%
2+ days: 14.7 ppg 58.9 FG%
Playoffs
0-1 days: 10.1 ppg 31.6 FG%
2+ days: 17.5 ppg 48.1 FG%”
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