Celtics come home focused on finishing Sixers

Share

PHILADELPHIA – Despite dropping Game 4 Monday night, the Celtics return home feeling good about the trip as a whole.

That’s because, despite the loss, the Celtics still have a firm grip on this series up 3-1 in the series rather than it being tied at two games apiece.

“We knew what kind of game this was going to be coming into this game,” said Marcus Smart. “We knew that they weren’t going to let us sweep them. We knew we were going to have to battle; we knew it. We did our job. We got one. Now, it’s back to the crib!”

Boston will have a second crack at closing this series out on Wednesday night and moving on to the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season to face LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

There was no mistaking the disappointment among the Celtics, well aware that a golden opportunity to get a couple more days of rest before the next series was there for the taking.

But really, has anything come easily to this team this season?

That said, it only makes sense and keeps true to the season narrative that the path towards basketball success is anything but a smooth one for Brad Stevens and his players.

“Things didn't go our way this game and we are not going to complain. We're not going to make excuses for it,” said Jaylen Brown. “It was unfortunate, but we are going to come out Game 5 and do what we have to do.”

And that is...

“Finish the game,” Brown said. “Finish the game. Get it done. Advance and do what we were supposed to do.”

Here are five takeaways from the 103-92 Game 4 loss to the 76ers:

T.J. McCONNELL

FOUL MOOD

THE LEGEND OF TATUM

LOST COMPOSURE

CHIPPY PLAY

Morris acknowledged he was surprised to hear Embiid chirping considering where the series stood at the time they were jawing with one another.

“That’s reality,” Morris said when asked about flashing the 3-0 sign with his fingers to Embiid. “It’s hard. I know I wouldn’t say a damn word if I was down 3-1 but hey, we all different. It is what it is.”

NBC SPORTS BOSTON SCHEDULE


 

Contact Us