Celtics create unexpected conundrum for 76ers after Game 1

The Celtics have had one of the best offenses in NBA history this season, but their 123-91 win over the 76ers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series started on the defensive end of the floor. Boston limited the Sixers to just 18 first quarter points as they built a double-digit lead and did not look back from there, carrying that advantage the whole way while putting together the biggest opening win to the postseason in franchise history. “We’ve been a hard-playing team all year, that can’t change now that the playoffs have started,” Jaylen Brown said.

“But then it’s just focusing in, honing in on the details and just winning the fight. Being the harder-playing team and just guarding. Our offense can’t win us this series.

I mean, our offense is important, but we got to make sure we guard. And I think tonight, we did a great job. ” The Sixers had a miserable shooting night from the field (38 percent) and the 3-point line (17 percent) but one part of Philadelphia’s game was more concerning than their accuracy.

The Sixers got up just 23 3-point attempts in the defeat, 12 attempts below the team’s average for the season. BETTING: For Tuesday’s Game 2 against the 76ers, Celtics -13. 5 point spread is listed at -110 on BetMGM .