By: Kylan Watson

Entering game 2 of their first round series in the NBA Playoffs. The Philadelphia 76ers knew they needed to limit their turnovers and get center Joel Embiid some help on the offensive side of the ball. If they wanted to even up the series with the Boston Celtics. The good news for them was they were able to limit their turnovers against the Celtics. The bad news for the Sixers was their perimeter defense and shooting failed them again. The Celtics were able to ride their hot offense to a 128-101 victory over the Sixers, and now have a 2-0 lead in the series.

Early in the game the Sixers were able to ride the hot hand of Embiid. Who scored 13-points early in the first quarter. He was able to get his teammates some easy looks as well. He scored 34-points and grabbed 10-rebounds. 

Embiid has now accounted for 66-points in these playoffs. He needs some help from his teammates. Only three of his teammates scored in double figures. Those players were forward Tobias Harris, and guards Shake Milton and Josh Richardson. He will need more help than that if the Sixers want to take at least one game off the Celtics.

For the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum once again got hot from beyond the arc. He hit eight three-pointers. He also scored 33-points and grabbed five rebounds. Like Embiid, Tatum has also scored 60-plus points in this series so far. However, unlike Embiid Tatum is getting scoring support from his teammates.

Guards Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown both had big games to stop any attempt at a comeback from the Sixers. Walker scored 22-points and Brown scored 20-points. They created a three-headed monster that the Sixers had no answer for.

The Sixers were able to solve the turnover the problem, but they will need to solve the Tatum, Walker and Brown problem if they want to win in game 3. All three players were able to take advantage of the fact that the Sixers wanted to stop them from attacking the paint. So that opened opportunities on the perimeter for each player.

The main way they got their shots was through the pick and roll scheme that the Celtics use often. Instead of the second defender coming up and helping their teammate. The Sixers were intent on protecting the paint, so that allowed Tatum, Brown, and Walker to take shots from the perimeter and the free-throw line.

In game 3 the Sixers will need to solve the pick and roll problem if they want to avoid getting swept in this first round series.

  They will need to find themselves on all sides of the ball, and Brett Brown will need to find a way to get somebody else to score more than 18-points and help Embiid. Who seems desperate for some help!!!