The rivalry between the Sixers and Celtics has been
one-sided of late to say the least. After yesterday’s 121-114 victory in
overtime, Boston has now won 16 of the last 18 regular season meetings with
Philadelphia and dispatched of the Sixers in five games in last year’s second
round. Yesterday did nothing to change the narrative that the Sixers are a
different team for all the wrong reasons against the Celtics.
Most of these games have followed one of two scripts. Either
it’s over in the first half and the Sixers never have a chance, or it’s a game
they should win and find a way to lose late. Often, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid
have wilted down the stretch in the hotly contested games. Brett Brown has been
outcoached by Brad Stevens in many of these games. Boston has a much deeper
bench than the Sixers which was reflected in the box score yesterday. Jimmy
Butler did not get a touch at the end of regulation when the Sixers had a
chance to win the game. Instead, JJ Redick missed a jumper he had a good look
at.
USA Today Images Brett Brown has struggled to find answers late in close games against the Celtics. |
Given all of this, you’d think it’s night and day when
comparing the two teams, and it has been on the court. In the standings, the
Sixers are even with the Celtics in the loss column. The top-end talent on both
rosters is probably even. However, to go with more depth and a better coach,
Boston has more veterans that seem to make more plays in the tight games. If
there’s anything to take away from yesterday’s loss, it’s that even with Jimmy
Butler, the Sixers are likely not going to get out of the East as presently
constructed.
With the trade deadline about six weeks away, new general
manager Elton Brand has work to do and not much to play with. Sensing the
cupboard that was once full of assets was nearing empty, the organization
traded for the Miami Heat’s 2021 unprotected first-round pick at the draft last
year with the Phoenix Suns. That Miami pick is team’s lone bargaining chip so
they’ll have to get it right if they’re to part with the pick this season.
Otherwise, it’s likely that the buyout market is where they’ll turn to in hopes
of churning out similar finds to Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova from last season.
What’s scarier for the Sixers is that the Celtics also have
much more to negotiate with. There are several young players that have not
established themselves as a part of Boston’s core that could be moved in a
trade for another star player. The Celtics own more future draft picks as well.
In addition to looking up at Boston, Toronto’s trade for Kawhi Leonard has paid
dividends and the Raptors may enter the playoffs as the favorite to win the
East.
The Butler trade certainly created a buzz around the Sixers
that wasn’t there early in the season after they did not land another star in
the offseason. But, having seen them for six weeks since, they’re not ready to
contend yet and it might be time to start getting concerned.