Rondo gearing up the Celtics for one last final playoff run?
In the opening round of the NBA playoffs, the no. 8 seeded Philadelphia 76ers defeated the injury depleted no. 1 seeded Chicago Bulls. This marked the 76ers first playoff series win in nearly a decade since the Allen Iverson era. Boston advanced beating their Atlantic Division rival the Atlanta Hawks in 6 games. Most of the NBA world didn’t expect to see this series until Chicago lost both Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Boston and Philadelphia meet three times during the regular season in which the home-team won every occasion. In game 1, Celtics guard Rajon Rondo led them in the 4th quarter to overcome a 10-point deficit. Rondo finished the game with 17 assist, 13 points and 12 rebounds grabbing his eight career playoff triple-double. The 76ers are known for their defense creating turnovers and getting out and scoring easy transition buckets. Then you have the Rondo effect. Rajon Rondo displayed his signature style play as he made the 76ers defense collapse in the 4th quarter. Philadelphia had a difficult time limiting his effectiveness in creating passes for his fellow teammates. The 76ers will have a difficult time scoring points in the half court as they have no go to scorer. In order for Philadelphia to win this series, they will need somebody to emerge and have a scoring tangent down the stretch. Expect the rejuvenated Boston Celtics to end this series in 5 or 6 games, with every game going down the wire.
(4) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers | Celtics Lead 1-0
Regular season series (Philadelphia won 2-1)
Game 1: Boston 92, Philadelphia 91
Game 2: at BOS, Mon. May 14, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3: at PHI, Wed. May 16, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 4: at PHI, Fri. May 18, TBD, ESPN
Game 5: at BOS, If Necessary
Game 6: at PHI, If Necessary
Game 7: at BOS, If Necessary