Blake Griffin Shines with Epic Performance against 76ers, Showcasing his Humor and Skill
Blake Griffin Shines in Thrilling Celtics vs. 76ers Matchup
Blake Griffin, on February 9th, 2023, the Boston Celtics took on the Philadelphia 76ers in a thrilling matchup at TD Garden. Despite being down three starters, the Celtics were able to grind out a 106-99 win over the 76ers, thanks in large part to the standout play of Blake Griffin.
The 76ers Game Plan Was a Sign of Disrespect
Griffin, who played under 76ers head coach Doc Rivers for five seasons on the Los Angeles Clippers, made a statement in the game by knocking down 5 of 8 3-pointers for a total of 15 points. After the game, Rivers admitted that the 76ers’ game plan was to dare the less talented offensive players on the Celtics to shoot instead of letting Jayson Tatum beat them.
Blake Griffin Takes the High Road
Blake Griffin drains the 3 and the Garden crowd loves👏 it 👏 pic.twitter.com/85YCgb8YMD
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) February 9, 2023
Griffin responded to the game plan with a wry smile, claiming that he didn’t take it as disrespect. He acknowledged that the 76ers left him wide open to shoot and that he simply tried to make them pay by hitting five 3-pointers.
"I don't take it as disrespect. It hurt them… they didn't adjust."
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) February 9, 2023
Blake Griffin talks about the Sixers leaving him open and whether or not he felt disrespected. pic.twitter.com/PSZVhXZHkH
Despite Griffin’s response, it’s clear that the 76ers’ game plan was a sign of disrespect to the former All-Star. Rivers has a history of playoff collapses and was responsible for trading Griffin away from the Clippers. In fact, Griffin reportedly did not return Rivers’ phone calls after the news of the trade.
Despite the tension between Rivers and Griffin, the latter chose to take the high road and simply focus on helping his team earn the win. With Al Horford and Robert Williams out, Griffin stepped up as a primary scoring option and proved that he still has what it takes to make a difference on the court.
Celtics Head Coach Praises Team’s Character and Depth
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla praised the character and depth of his team, saying that the Celtics have the utmost trust and comfortability in these types of situations. And with Blake Griffin leading the way, it’s clear that the Celtics have the talent and determination to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Conclusion: A Statement Win for the Celtics
In conclusion, the Celtics’ win over the 76ers was a pre-trade deadline statement that showed the depth and character of the team. Despite being shorthanded, the Celtics were able to come together and earn a crucial victory, thanks in large part to the standout play of Blake Griffin.
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