Confidence played major role in 76ers Game 2 win; can Boston Celtics kill it in Game 3?

TL;DR

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 123-91 in Game 2, showcasing improved shooting and confidence. The Celtics aim to adjust their defense for Game 3 to regain control of the series.

Key points

76ers won Game 2 against Celtics 123-91
Improved shooting from 49% beyond the arc
Celtics shot only 26% from three in Game 2
Edgecombe credited teammates for support and trust
Celtics plan to adjust defense for Game 3

Mentioned in this story

Nick Nurse

Philadelphia 76ersBoston Celtics

VJ Edgecombe might have been a little cowed by the moment in the blowout loss that was Game 1 of the Philadelphia 76ers first round series vs. the Boston Celtics, but he found his way in Game 2 thanks to some coaching from his teammates and Philly head coach Nick Nurse. "It’s just the same kind of reminders," said Nurse after beating Boston 123-91 on Tuesday (April 21) night. "I grab him and Tyrese (Maxey) together a lot, and continue to remind them to be super aggressive, fire it up there, keep shooting no matter what," he added. And Boston felt the impact of that adjustment in a big way in the second installment of the series, seeing the Sixers shift the dynamics from beyond the arc in the two contests. In game 1, Boston shot 44 3s to Philly's 23, hitting 36 percent of their triples to the 76ers' 17 percent. In Game 2, the Sixers hit 39 treys to Boston's 50, and while they were unable to overtake the Celtics from deep, they held them to just 26 percent from 3 to their own 49 percent. "I think he got to some good spots the other night, right, kind of spots that he normally kind of gets to, and I think it was just a matter of him realizing 'Okay, there are going to be some spots for me to get to, and some shots are going to be there', and you’ve got to take them," said Nurse. "And obviously a big difference, they get to the spot and vaulted up there and start making some and boost everybody’s confidence."

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket while guarded by Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter of a game at TD Garden on April 21, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) "I’m going to be honest, I think we all knew, correct me if I’m wrong, I think we knew where the shots were going to come from," said Edgecombe. "I think we knew where we were going to get the shots from, where the help was going to be at. So, credit to my teammates for ... trusting each other." "Everyone can make a play on the court, so we kept trusting each other and I was in the spot, and they wanted me to shoot the ball, and it wasn’t going to been right if I didn’t shoot the ball, so I had to shoot the ball hit a wide open shots, try to get my teammates their assists from me." The Celtics have made it clear they are looking towards Philly's backcourt to adjust for Game 3. And given what we're hearing from the Sixers, perhaps dampening that confidence with some smothering early defense might just be the move for Boston to make to regain home court in the series. Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on: Blue Wire: iTunes: YouTube: *This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: *

Q&A

What were the key factors in the 76ers' Game 2 victory over the Celtics?

The 76ers' victory was driven by improved shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, and boosted confidence among players like VJ Edgecombe.

How did the shooting statistics change from Game 1 to Game 2 between the 76ers and Celtics?

In Game 1, the Celtics shot 36% on 44 attempts from three, while the 76ers hit only 17% on 23 attempts; in Game 2, the 76ers shot 49% on 39 attempts, while the Celtics shot 26% on 50 attempts.

What adjustments are the Boston Celtics planning for Game 3 against the 76ers?

The Celtics are focusing on adjusting their defense to dampen the confidence of the 76ers' backcourt and regain home court advantage.

Who is VJ Edgecombe and what role did he play in the 76ers' Game 2 win?

VJ Edgecombe is a player for the Philadelphia 76ers who contributed significantly to the team's Game 2 win by finding his shooting rhythm and boosting team confidence.