Sixers vs. Celtics: What Philly Must Do to Notch Game 6 Victory
The Philadelphia 76ers have their backs against the wall heading into their Game 6 tilt against the Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Sixers are down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series and saw Celtics forward Brandon Bass go off for 27 points in Game 5 at the TD Garden. I don't know what that was all about, nor do I expect that to happen again, but the Sixers can't lose track of him in the elimination game scheduled for Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. ET.
They'll have to do a few other things to win Game 6 and tie the series at three, and here they are.
Will the Real Andre Iguodala Please Stand up?
Iguodala resorted back to his own ways in Game 5, putting up eight points on an abysmal 3-for-10 shooting night. Just when we thought that he would exonerate himself from the title of big game choker, he puts out another stinker.
He registered a plus/minus ratio of minus-13 in Game 5, and while he wasn't solely to blame for the 76ers' loss, he didn't do much to benefit the team. He's supposed to be the face of this up-and-coming franchise, and it's games like these when he fades into the shadows that give his doubters ammunition.
Iguodala has made his living playing lockdown perimeter defense, and he needs to do more of that in Game 6 if he doesn't want to see the Sixers sent packing. He needs to be in the exact opposite position on the offensive end, though. His jumper has been brutal lately, and he only scored two points in the paint in Game 5.
He has to use his size to attack the rim and try to get the Celtics' bigs in trouble early or Boston is going to shut the door on the Sixers' fairytale postseason run.
Win the Third Quarter
The Sixers lost the third quarter again in Game 5. In the three games that the Celtics have won, they've been outscored 82-57 in the third. They've outscored Boston 49-28 in the third period in their two victories of the series.
Brandon Bass scored 18 of his 27 points in the third quarter to as the Celtics outscored Philadelphia 28-16 in the third. That proved to be the deciding quarter in this matchup.
The way the Sixers play in the third has been a good indication of what the outcome of the game will be. I don't know if it's cooling down at halftime or getting distracted or what, but if Philly comes out of the locker room lackadaisical again in the third quarter, say goodbye, Sixers fans.
Shut Down Rajon Rondo
Obviously this is much easier said than done, but the combination of Iguodala and Evan Turner need to do a better job at keeping Rondo out on the perimeter. According to ESPN, Rondo had five assists on dunks in Game 5, the most in a game over the last five postseasons.
Rondo typically doesn't get the ball down low by zipping it in from above the three-point line. He weaves his way into the paint, does what The Rondo does, confuses the entire defense and makes this ridiculous, but beautiful pass to a big man under the hoop.
Bass got six of his points that way. Iguodala is a better defender than Turner, but putting him strictly on Rondo leaves Paul Pierce to have his way with the defense. The Celtics are working their best when Rondo facilitates for the offense, so I think it would be wise to take a chance with someone else other than Iguodala on Pierce and put Iggy on Rondo. Let one of the best perimeter defenders in the league do his thing, Doug Collins.
