The surprise Sixers look to even things up with the Celtics Monday night in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinals.
After the Sixers dropped a one-point heartbreaker in Game 1 in Boston, there are two burning questions they will need to address in Game 2 at the TD Garden.
1. Will the real Jrue Holiday please show up?
The young 76ers guard has had an up-and-down season -- no doubt about that. After average 18.2 points, 4.7 assists and 5.2 rebounds while shooting nearly 42-perecent from the floor in the Sixers’ opening round series over the Bulls, Holiday put up a clunker in Game 1 against the Celtics shooting just 23-percent while posting 8 points, 4 assists and 6 boards.
If Holiday gets back to the form he had in the Bulls series, the Sixers should be better off. One problem, Rajon Rondo instead of the replacement of Derrick Rose is defending Holiday this time around.
2. What to do about K.G.?
One Celtic stood above all others in Game 1 and it wasn’t just Kevin Garnett’s height that stood out. The 35-year-old, nearly 7-footer drained 29 points on 12-of-20 shooting to lead Boston to the 92-91 win.
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Monday night, the Sixers must find a way to contain Garnett -- who added 11 boards -- while still keeping Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in check. Rondo, who had a triple-double, seems to light it up against everyone but Garnett -- slowed by 16 years in the NBA -- can be contained and must be by Spencer Hawes, Elton Brand and Lavoy Allen if the Sixers hope to win.
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