Prior to the Celtics' 119-115 Game 1 loss to the 76ers, every fan in attendance was given a t-shirt that read "There's no such thing as too intense." The slogan comes from Joe Mazzulla, who made those remarks prior to Boston's Game 5 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
The shirts were especially ironic in Boston's Game 1 loss to Philadelphia, because it was the Celtics' sloppy play and lack of intensity that cost them the early series lead against a 76ers team that was without the likely league MVP in Joel Embiid.
Still, Boston finished the game shooting 58.7% from the field. It's worth noting that the Celtics were 22-1 in the regular season when they shot over 50% from the field. This postseason, they are 1-2 when shooting over 50%, with their losses coming in Game 5 against Atlanta and Game 1 against Philadelphia, which were two of their worst defensive performances this postseason.
Turnovers and sloppy play were the biggest issues for the Celtics in Game 1, as the team ultimately beat themselves. Boston finished the night with 16 turnovers — it was Boston's fourth game this postseason with at least 14 turnovers. Philadelphia scored 20 points off Boston's turnovers.
The Celtics couldn't get a stop all night. Despite shooting 28-for-39 (71.8%) from the field in the first half (8 of 14 from three) and out-rebounding Philly, Boston held just a three-point halftime lead because of their inability to get a stop on defense and carelessness with the basketball.
With Embiid absent, it was James Harden who stepped up in a big way for the 76ers. He finished with 45 points on the night, which tied his playoff career and included the dagger that had shades of Game 5 Trae Young.
Harden put the 76ers on his back and was able to out-duel Jayson Tatum, who finished with 39 points for Boston.
"I haven't felt in one of the zones in a minute," Harden said postgame. "It felt really good."
Harden is a future NBA Hall of Famer, and maybe has been a little overshadowed this season due to the MVP play of Embiid, but he provided a strong reminder of just how good he is in Game 1.
Despite the heroics of Harden, this is a game the Celtics should and could have won. There is no way around it, the Celtics' defense needs to be better, and they have to limit the turnovers.
"Defensively, we were not at the level we need to be at as a team, and we have to look in the mirror," Al Horford said when assessing the defense postgame.
Boston now has the worst defensive rating this postseason among teams remaining, sitting at 116.3. The Celtics have proven they can play good defense when they want to, which brings us back to intensity.
Focus and intensity are arguably the most important factors in the Celtics' success, and those have been noticeably absent in Boston's postseason losses.
