The Sixers are in need of some help.
They limped back to Philadelphia after blowing a 22-point lead during Thursday's Game 2 loss in Boston to fall into a 2-0 series hole.
While they went back to the lab for another practice session to iron out some kinks, they are still looking for an outside boost when Game 3 tips off inside the Wells Fargo Center at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
"Boston has a good home-court advantage, but I think we have a better one," T.J. McConnell said to reporters at Friday's practice. "Our fans are really loud and engaged. They've carried us to wins with their energy and we're going to need them for these next two home games."
Unfortunately for the Sixers, it will take more than a rowdy crowd to get them past the most adversity the team has faced in months.
The Sixers have to tighten up their defense. They've allowed the Celtics to average 112.5 points on 46.7 percent shooting from the field and 45.0 percent from three-point range in the first two games.
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On the flip side, the Sixers' offense just doesn't look like the version we saw over the course of this season. The C's have harassed them into averaging 102 points, 42.8 percent field goal shooting and 30.5 percent three-point shooting all while slowing down their pace 97.12 (102.2 during the regular season).
All of the number crunching and dissecting of game film certainly helped identify some flaws. However, the Sixers still feel that simply relaxing and letting the game come them will ultimately help them break through in the series.
"It's just basketball," Ben Simmons said. "We know how to play. We know how they play. They know how we play. It's the playoffs, so I think we just need to lock in, stay together as a team and play."
