BOSTON–The biggest challenge for the Philadelphia 76ers in this Eastern Conference semifinal series, other than overcoming the injury to Joel Embiid, will be slowing down Boston Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
The two of them form one of the more fearsome duos in the league and they are responsible for everything the Celtics do on the floor. Tatum is a ruthless scorer who can also rebound at an efficient rate and he’s also a willing passer who gets his teammates involved. Brown can score at a high rate while also being one of the top defenders in the game on the other end.
Defending those two will be a big priority in this series for Philadelphia.
“I don’t think about really stopping them,” said Jalen McDaniels. “It’s just like making it hard for them just because they’re great players. They’re gonna get to their spots. It’s not like you can stop somebody from making one shot, a couple shots, so I feel like when they’re trying to score, making it hard on them, a lot of pressure.”
McDaniels will be one of the defenders who coach Doc Rivers will call upon to try and slow down Tatum and Brown. He was acquired from the Charlotte Hornets for moments such as this one as they look to utilize more two-way players in the postseason.
“My length would bother them,” McDaniels added. “Just trying to make it harder, I can’t not let him score a couple points you know? So just making it hard is the biggest thing I say. No easy points, stuff like that.”
Along with the elite scoring that Tatum and Brown bring to the table, they also get their teammates involved. Guys like Derrick White, Al Horford, Grant Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, and others thrive off what those two do out on the floor.
“Because they don’t mind sharing the ball,” added PJ Tucker. “They move the ball really well no matter who it is. They hit the open guy and they’re always attacking. They’re in attack mode at all times. So on closeouts, trying to close out to touch to make sure they don’t pull up for a shot, and still controlling the drive, and it’s really it’s easier said than done, but they do a good job of moving the ball and playing together.”
Game 1 of this series is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT on Monday in Boston.
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Story originally appeared on Sixers Wire