In Game 2, it was this masterpiece that sealed the deal for the Sixers. In Game 4, it was the Sixers once again shutting down the lauded Boston clutch offense on a key late possession to steal the win. Andre Iguodala’s jumpers were masterful. Lou Williams’ offense was crazytown. The Sixers momentum was huge. But up 2 with 1:30 to play, the Sixers made a defensive stand that lead to Iguodala’s dagger three. And it once again showed the defensive chops of this Sixers squad.
1. At the 8 second mark, Rondo has beaten his man and forced the weak-side help defender to come over. Bradley has cut to the basket and is going to have an easy reverse if there is such a thing) or stop-and-layup, but Rondo tries to one-hand-it side-arm, and the pass goes behind him. That’s the first play they’ve run and there are 17 seconds on the clock.
2. They reset the play and look to go to their go-to move. Rondo-KG on the pick and pop. If the big defender hedges or traps Rondo, KG’s wide open from 18 where he has killed the Sixers all series. If they don’t, Rondo can get to the edge for a layup.
3. Philly, though, has finally learned their lesson. Lavoy Allen, who has done an incredible job in this series defensively, shows on Rondo, but Rondo loses his dribble and can’t get past him baseline. If Rondo doesn’t lose his dribble, with the faster defender entangled in KG’s screen, Rondo’s got a clear path to the bucket. This is huge for two reasons, because it forces Rondo to reset his dribble. In doing so, Allen has time to recover and switch back to KG, cutting off the pick and pop, which is the preferred option here. Second, you’ll notice Thaddeus Young on the weakside start to creep over. Essentially, that hesitation cues Young to what’s going on.
3. Rondo’s running out of time so he has to just try and take his man off the dribble. Which he does, and his pivot and spin is typically a layup. But Rondo doesn’t have time to find Bradley cutting so Young has a clear shot at the block.
4. The final element in play here is really something to talk about, and that’s the lineup Doc Rivers had on the floor at this point. Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, and Avery Bradley in a three-guard lineup against a Philly frontcourt of Jrue Holiday, Louis Williams, and Andre Iguodala, with Thaddeus Young. Young’s versatility means he can play up, and as a result, the Celtics have no one to go down and get that offensive rebound. Had they had a traditional big in this set, they’re probably looking at a putback. They chose instead to space the floor, and it cost them. The Sixers get the board, Iggy nails the three, and the Sixers win the game.
