With a 3-1 lead, the Boston Celtics were in complete control of their first-round series with the Philadelphia 76ers.
However after two straight Celtic losses, the series is now tied at three games apiece heading into a decisive Game 7 in Boston on Saturday night. The Sixers clearly have the momentum at this point in the series and the Celtics will have to figure out a way to respond or else their season is going to end much earlier than anyone in Boston had hoped or expected.
Jaylen Brown Says Game 7 is a Clean Slate For Celtics After Two Straight Losses
Following Boston’s 106-93 loss in Game 6 in Philadelphia on Thursday night, Celtics star forward Jaylen Brown revealed Boston’s mindset and approach heading into the do-or-die final game of the series.
Basically, Brown thinks that the Celtics need to disregard the rest of the series and look at Game 7 as its own individual series; a clean slate for both teams. The way Brown sees it, whichever team shows up with more energy on Saturday will claim victory.
“Game 7 is a game amongst itself in a sense,” Brown said. “The rest of the series doesn’t matter. It’s going to [come down to] whose going to show up on that day and be the better-performing team. There’s definitely some stuff that I see that I can improve. Definitely would shift my approach going into Game 7 and I’m looking forward to coming out with a great fight.”
76ers Have Successfully Limited Celtics’ 3-Point Success
Brown went on to explain that he thinks the Celtics haven’t been doing themselves any favors by letting the Sixers dictate the flow of the game over their last two losses. That’s something they’ll look to adjust and improve upon in Game 7.
“I think we’re playing into their hands a little bit,” Brown said. “I definitely think, even myself, the type of shots, the type of things they want us to do. That’s not what we’ve been doing all year. But maybe a shift in your approach can open some stuff up offensively for us.”
Over the past two games, the Sixers have done an excellent job of limiting open opportunities from beyond the arc for the Celtics, which has caused them to struggle offensively. The Celtics made just 23 combined 3-pointers in Games 5 and 6. They made 24 in Game 4 alone.
The Celtics have relied on their potency from beyond the arc all season, so they’re going to need to figure out a way to generate better looks in Game 7 if they’re going to extend their season.
Jaylen Brown Reveals Celtics’ Mindset Heading into Game 7 vs. 76ers