How did the Boston Celtics implement a new defensive approach to stymie the 76ers?
The Boston Celtics used a unique approach to guarding 2023 Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid and former MVP James Harden in their East semis series against the Philadelphia 76ers. The radical approach, known in NBA circles as “peel switching,” is a defensive strategy that helps a ball club deal with a lost defensive assignment in a switching or switch-heavy style of defense.
The Celtics did not always rely on it but put it to good use sporadically to help keep Harden and Embiid on their heels while also providing an effective counter to the potentially devastating line-drive slashing from Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey.
To learn more about peel switching and how the Celtics made great use of it in the last round, check out the clip embedded below to hear a great breakdown from the folks at the Hoops With Nick YouTube channel.
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
