In preparation for Sunday’s Game 4 against the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers face a dwindling margin for error as they aim to keep their NBA title hopes alive. As a result of two consecutive losses against the Boston Celtics, the Sixers are down 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
A loss during Sunday afternoon’s matchup would put the Sixers down 3-1 in the series. Falling into such a hole would put Philadelphia in an improbable position. Philadelphia hopes that Saturday’s film session will help the team to refocus in a needed way to respond in Game 4 with a victory.
“I think the biggest thing was today, we were real with each other and that’s good,” Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey said. “Family has to be real with each other, they have to express themselves, they have to express their emotions that they’re feeling and you have to get it off your chest. I think we’ve done a great job at that all year.”
This season, the Sixers have proven resilient when faced with adverse situations, whether be injuries or tough stretches. As the team prepares for Game 4, there is a sense that the team’s film session will spark a better performance.
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“A lot of people spoke up,” Maxey continued. “I think that trust comes from the coaches and coach Doc (Rivers). He lets guys speak their mind and there was a possession in the game where Paul Reed spoke his mind. Our vets kinda stepped in and told P-Reed like ‘Hey, in this circumstance, we need you to do this’ and that’s good. I think that’s very good communication that’s positive.”
Without getting into specifics, Maxey explained that among the team, there was a needed sense of respect as they worked through the film session.
“Just grown men talking,” Maxey said. ” No voices raised. Just all very monotone. I think we have the ultimate respect for each other. Everybody knows how hard everybody works and how much everybody really wants to win. This team is very together so when one speaks up, it’s OK and everybody’s receptive of that.”
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Among the key areas of focus is James Harden’s struggles in Games 2 and 3 as he shot a combined 5-28 from the floor in both losses. He was reluctant to be aggressive, scoring the ball by passing out of situations the former NBA MVP has typically scored easily.
“I just thought we didn’t play with enough thrust,” Sixers coach Doc Rivers said. “We didn’t get in the paint enough. They’re helping on everybody’s drives, so they’re bringing people and James has to make the right decision. I think overall, he is.”
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Rivers highlighted a few of Harden’s successful scoring drives in the fourth quarter, emphasizing the need for him to be aggressive in similar ways going forward.
“There was one where I’m sure people thought he could’ve shot the ball, but he was going to his right which to me, him being a passer is not a bad thing for us,” Rivers said. “We showed him two big shots down the stretch, those are good shots. I asked him ‘You want those shots?’ he said ‘Yeah’ and I said ‘We’ll live with those, too. We just need you to be aggressive and take them’. We’ll be fine.”
The Sixers’ other top options struggled in Game 3, too. Tobias Harris was limited to seven points, while Maxey only scored 13. If Harden and Co. fail to respond in Game 4, it very well could decide the fate of the Sixers’ season.
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