It’s safe to say the first two games in the Sixers’ playoff series against the Celtics could have gone either way. (Evan Turner photo: AP)
 
Once again, the Sixers had a double digit lead at one point in the game, but they let the Celtics back in. The Sixers had to climb out of an early 9-0 hole and trailed at the end of the first and second quarter before reeling off a 14-0 run in the third. Despite the Sixers’ comeback, Boston had a one point lead with a little more than half a minute remaining in the game.  

Nonetheless, Evan Turner’s miraculous drive gave the Sixers the lead for good. And In the final 12 seconds of Game 2, Turner, Lou Williams, and Jodie Meeks went a combined 6-for-6 at the line, sealing what would be a one point victory.

Rookie Lavoy Allen deserves some nice props for his defense on Kevin Garnett. Although Ray Allen came off the bench to score 17 points, Lavoy Allen and Spencer Hawes kept Garnett in check for most of the game. Furthermore, Lavoy Allen also contributed on offense, with his 22 footer catching the Celtics (and for that matter, the Sixers) completely by surprise.  After watching the first two games, it’s pretty obvious by now that the remaining contests will most likely be close. The Sixers are going to have to remain physical with Garnett while Andre Iguodala has defended the injured Paul Pierce admirably. Pierce was just 2 of 9 from the field and committed five turnovers. Rajon Rondo also struggled- being held to just eight points on 4 of 12 shooting.

Make no mistake folks, these games are not what you would call poetry in motion. One of the biggest issues the Sixers had in the regular season was their inability to finish close games. The team won just one regular-season game all year by three points or fewer, and they failed to do so in Game 1. The Sixers however, didn’t make the same mistake in Game 2, and return home to Wells Fargo Center with a split. The series is tied at one game a piece. And the Sixers, an inexperienced playoff team if there ever was one, seem to be playing with a blind confidence that usually comes with inexperience.

However, the deeper the playoffs go, the more experience will be had. Nobody is expecting the Sixers to win except the Sixers. And sometimes, self motivation is the only motivation a team needs.  And by the way, that was the Sixers' first playoff win in Boston since May of 1982, when they knocked off the Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Let’s enjoy this, guys. Game 3 is Wednesday at Wells Fargo Center.

Contact Joe Vallee at jvallee@philly2philly.com

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