Multiple Sixers assess young Adem Bona after Game 3 loss to Celtics

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers came up short to the Boston Celtics 108-100 in Game 3 on Friday night as they now trail this Round 1 series 2-1. The Celtics did just enough down the stretch to walk out of Xfinity Mobile Arena with a win and recapturing home court advantage.

The Sixers received good play out of the center spot on Friday as young Adem Bona had 10 points, five rebounds, and three blocks, but was hampered by foul trouble. The second-year big man fouled out in just 22 minutes of play on a night he was a plus-9 on the floor. This is all a learning experience for him as he goes through his first playoff run, but he is finding ways to contribute.

"Definitely the big thing is the physicality," Bona said. "The way they ref calls the game, it changes. Things can swing real quick. So, I would say physicality and being constant with what we do and sticking to the game plan."

Bona still has much to learn as he moves forward with his career, but he does have somebody like Andre Drummond who he can lean on. Drummond has 14 years of experience and has played in a lot of playoff games. He has a wealth of knowledge to give to Bona, which he continues to seek out.

"He doesn't think anything personal," Drummond explained of Bona. "He understands that it's coming from a place of care, and we want to see him be better, get better. He's learning. He takes the information. He soaks it up like a sponge and he puts it forth into the game."

With that being said, Bona still has much to learn. There were a few mistakes in the Game 3 loss that are correctable going forward. For example, a foul he committed on Celtics star Jayson Tatum in the second half which caused a reaction from Tyrese Maxey to run up to him and immediately coach him up. That's going to happen for him at the moment. He needs to just learn from them, and Maxey is going to help him.