Game 4: Celtics (2-1) @ Sixers (1-2) Open Thread

Posted by Brian Robb on May 18, 2012 2970256 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2012%2F05%2F18%2Fgame-4-celtics-2-1-sixers-1-2-open-thread%2FGame+4%3A+Celtics+%282-1%29+%40+Sixers+%281-2%29+Open+Thread2012-05-18+21%3A55%3A56Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D29702

Game 4
Celtics @ Sixers
8:00 PM EDT
ESPN
Wells Fargo Center

Offensive Efficiency:
Boston: 94.0 points per 100 possessions (11th)
Philadelphia: 95.6 points per 100 possessions (10th)

Defensive Efficiency:
Boston: 90.4 points allowed per 100 possessions (1st)
Philadelphia: 91.7 points allowed per 100 possessions (3rd)

Probable Sixers Starters: Jrue Holiday (PG), Evan Turner (SG), Andre Iguodala (SF), Elton Brand (PF), Spencer Hawes (C)

View From The Opposing Bench: Philadunkia

THUMBNAIL

For Game 4, I joined Chris Forsberg over at ESPNBoston to break down what to expect in Game 4. Here’s a sampling of what we covered in our game of 2-on-2. You can check out the full post at ESPNBoston

---

 

1. Predict the unpredictable: Can the C’s carry their momentum from Game 3 over to Game 4 and take a commanding 3-1 lead?

Robb: I like their chances of maintaining the momentum. This team hasn’t made it easy on themselves all season, but after Game 3 you have to think the C’s smell blood. They know a 3-1 series lead all but puts away Philadelphia for good. Plus, with Miami having their hands full with Indiana on the other side of the bracket, a quick wrap to the series could bring several days off, which is plenty of motivation for the ailing members of the roster. Besides the added rest incentive, I just think the C’s worst basketball of the series is behind them. They won’t replicate their nearly perfect Game 3 effort, but Kevin Garnett can’t be stopped, Mickael Pietrus has rediscovered his shot, and the C’s have made defensive adjustments that will be tough for the Sixers to counter heading into Game 4.

Forsberg: We hear so much about the importance of peaking at the right time in sports. Well, I don’t know if it’s possible for the Celtics to peak considering the lingering injuries they’re battling, but I wonder if — apologies for an awkward sounding phrase — they can consistent at the right time. All season we’ve been seemingly waiting for this team to build off quality performances. And yet they always seem to let off the accelerator a little bit, making things just a bit more difficult on themselves. Friday’s Game 4 is a chance to all but lock up this series, build off the boundless confidence that seems to exist after Game 3. Heck, with another effort like Wednesday night, the Celtics could consider printing up some Pacer-like T-shirts with Green Swagger on it for later in the playoffs. You get the feeling this team is locked in and focused, but they gotta show it. It’ll also be interesting to see how Philadelphia responds to this adversity; they’ve rebounded from each previous playoff loss with a win, but can they keep up the trend in Game 4?