Some teams, after falling into an 0-2 hole, find redemption with a return home for Games 3 and 4 of a playoff series.
But the antiseptic nature of the Orlando bubble considered, Philadelphia had no such boost heading into Game 3 against the Celtics on Friday night.
Nor did it occur to Brad Stevens that his team had an unusual edge by not having to hit the road with a 2-0 series lead.
“I haven’t really thought about it to be honest. We’re just focused on what we need to do within the lines to try to play as well as we can,” said the Celtics coach. “I think both ways it just makes it just about the game. We’ve just gotta continue to try to play as well as we can against a good team.”
And as evidenced by the Celtics’ performance over the first two games of this first-round playoff series, motivation without a boost from the Garden crowd — or for that matter the inspiration that can come from shutting up a hostile road crowd — is not an issue.
“We have a team full of intrinsically motivated people,” said Stevens. “Really the whole travel party’s that way. So we’re going to try to do the best job we can, we realize the circumstances are unique. I think the idea of pressure when we get a chance to play a kids’ game right now, with the world being what it is, everybody else can call it pressure, we’re here to play as well as we can, play with great intentions and leave it at that.”
Green light for Romeo
Romeo Langford’s Game 2 appearance, roughly a week after tearing ligaments in his right (shooting) wrist reflected well on the rookie wing’s toughness. And after playing 23 minutes that night, the wrist is apparently ready for more action.
“Fine. I thought he did a good job. His wrist feels pretty good,” said Stevens. “Again, it’s something that he hasn’t had a ton of pain with it and he just tapes it up and plays. So he’ll have it, you know, obviously we talked about it, he’ll have it looked at after the season, but right now he’s been given the go-ahead to play. And it’s a great opportunity for him.”
Tip-off talk
When Adam Silver said on Thursday night that a Dec. 1 start for next season was unlikely, most across the league agreed with him.
For teams now in Orlando for the playoffs, that statement comes as something of a relief. Not only would the turnaround time be abrupt with that kind of offseason window, it would deprive all concerned of something they care the most about — time with their families.
“I don’t know anything about start times and all that other stuff,” said Stevens. “I do know that whatever we choose to do, I hope we can include a little bit more time at home with loved ones in some fashion.
“I think that will be a discussion amongst the board of governors and the NBA Players Association, the NBA, they certainly will solicit input from other places, but that will be a decision made by all of them,” said the Celtics coach. “I think the feedback that everybody gets from this bubble experience will probably impact that, but we don’t know. What I read Adam said was that there will be a desire to play in front of fans. I think that’s everyone’s desire. And at the same time we realize that there’s a lot of obstacles in the way to that.”
Sixers digging deep
Joel Embiid, despite his impressive individual numbers over the first two games, has vowed to “give” more to Philadelphia’s flagging effort.
He wasn’t alone in looking for something better Friday night. Old friend Al Horford got off to a hideous start in the series, averaging five points and 4.5 rebounds — including a four-point, two-rebound night off the bench in Game 2.
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August 22, 2020 at 06:54AM
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No crowd, no problem for Celtics in early going - Boston Herald
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