Celtics take 2-1 lead in East Semis

Celtics regain the momentum they lost at Boston, with a completely dominating display in Game 3 to take a 2-1 in the playoffs lead by crushing 76ers 107-91. Paul Pierce made sure his icing the knee worked, so that he could manage to get on to the court for Game 3. So did Ray Allen who shrugged off his right ankle injury.

Game 3 : Kevin Garnett blowed away the 76ers with his ruthless offense plays

Kevin Garnett who had a disappointing end to Game 2 tore the 76ers defense apart with a double double (27 points, 13 rebounds). He was backed by double doubles from Paul Pierce  (24 points and 12 rebounds) and Rajon Rondo (23 points and 14 assists).

With the series leveled 1-1 and Celtics losing their home court advantage in Game 2, it seemed that 76ers would go two up in Game 3 and Game 4 with the momentum swinging their side.

The controversial end to Game 2 where Kevin Garnett was given a moving screen foul on Iguodala was a bitter end for the Celtics, where they lost the game 2 by a single point. Moving to Philadelphia and Celtics with an injured Paul Pierce (knee) and Ray Allen (right ankle) were having serious doubts about their attacking prowess.

Game 3 looked to be heading in the 76ers direction after a poor start by the Celtics missing their first seven shots. Andre Iguodala started off the first quarter from where he left at Boston. His opener was a brilliant shot, where he convereted defense into offense with a steal and a lay up dunk. He was tight on defense and made sure that Paul Pierce did not get enough space to shoot. Kevin Garnett’s efforts for screens also were failing to yield any results.

Celtics were finding it hard to shoot the FGs in Q1 with Iguodala dominating in the early stages with support from Thaddeus Young, who scored a playoff career high of 22 points. Paul Pierce’s knee injury did not hinder him from taking his drive ins and lay ups whenever he got free from Iguodala. Q1 ended 33-28 to 76ers with a buzzer beater 3 pointer from Louis Williams, after Spencer Hawes was stripped off the ball by Rajon Rondo, who immediately lost the ball in his court to Williams.

Q2 saw the start of Kevin Garnett’s dominance with his FGs and steals. Rondo-Allen combo was also doing its job but Allen could only manage three points in the whole Game. KG was nailing his jumpers accurately with Rondo providing him with the required assists. Celtics outscored the 76ers by 16 points in Q2 to take a 11 point lead after the first half.

Game 3 : The Celtic’s captain “Wounded Warrior” – Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce got going in Q3 with assists pouring from Rondo and his own individual plays, with Kevin Garnett also joining the party. Their disciplined defense and relentless attack made sure they had a 23 point lead after Q3.

They kept the good work up in Q4 also they maintained their tough defense and not compromising their attacks to thwart any late comeback by the 76ers, following Doc Rivers’s advice “Hey its about our defense,” and that is what Celtics have been throughout the playoffs struggling with their offense.

Thaddeus Young who was on court for just a tad above half the Game finished as the highest scorer for the 76ers with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Holiday shot 15 points and finished with nine assists and six rebounds while Meeks and Williams ended with 13 points a piece for the 76ers.

Celtics need to keep the momentum going and strangle the 76ers in Game 4 to make sure they finish it off soon which would ensure proper rest for injury struck Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, and others too. Their revolving of the attack around Kevin Garnett is reaping fruit and Kevin Garnett height also played to his advantage as he could freely turn and take shots, and was nailing the long rangers.

76ers on the other hand have a lot of work to do although they were 4-4 on home court post season the major reason for that is widely known (injury struck opponent – Chicago Bulls) and their last three games before Game 3 were all won or lost by a point. They need to pull back Game 4 to have any chance of progressing in the playoffs. This is the first time they progressed to round two in playoffs since the 76ers with Allen Iverson in 2003 and they need to make it count this time.

Game four is in two days time 19/05 at 5:30 am IST.