Despite their status as the second-seeded team in the Eastern Conference, the injury-riddled Boston Celtics entered the second round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs as heavy underdogs to the Philadelphia 76ers. Now, the Celtics lead the Sixers 3-0. Historically, 3-0 leads are impossible to blow, but Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown doesn’t want to take any chances:
Full quote from Jaylen: "We shouldn’t get caught up. We gotta finish the drill. Like I’m not one, I was never taught to play with our food. When it comes down to it, we gotta finish it. … We have to take care of business."
— Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) May 6, 2018
The Celtics were able to capitalize on the Sixers’ inexperience late in their overtime win in Game 3, coming up with crucial steals to seal the victory.
No team has ever surmounted a 3-0 lead, yet this Celtics team feels slightly more vincible than your average second-seeded team up 3-0. No Kyrie Irving and no Gordon Hayward is a problem. No Daniel Theis is an annoyance. Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart being hobbled is a big hit. The Sixers have struggled to score against the Celtics and have choked in some big moments, but this Philly team is talented, and, when the shots are falling, extremely dangerous. The Celtics want to close this series out quickly and give the Sixers no chance at obtaining momentum.
