Posted: Sun, May. 20, 2012, 1:33 AM | 9 comments | Avoiding 3-1 series deficit kept 76ers from facing grim prospects in Game 5 By John N. Mitchell Inquirer Staff Writer http://tinyurl.com/7lf9jjs Because they had just eliminated a team whom they had put in the untenable position of being down 3-1 in a best-of-seven series, the Sixers knew this was not where they wanted to be heading into Boston for Game 5 of their semifinal series against the Celtics. Only eight times in NBA history has a team rallied from a 3-1 deficit to come back to win a playoff series, something the Sixers heard repeated over and over again after going up 3-1 against Chicago in the first round. And had the Sixers not overcome a huge third-quarter deficit with an unbelievable rally on Friday, this is where they would find themselves. The Sixers rallied from a 14-0 deficit at the start of the game and from 18 points down early in the third quarter for a series-tying 92-83 win over the Celtics on Friday. "No matter what people say as far as it's not over until it's over, being down 3-1 is a totally different mentality than being at 2-2," said Sixers guard Andre Iguodala shortly after the game. "It could swing either way, so it was pretty much a must-win for us. "Our psyche is a little different, but we still have to remain humble," continued Iguodala, who along with Jrue Holiday led the Sixers with 16 points on Friday. "I feel like they gave us their best shot in the first half, but we crawled back in and got it. But we know we are going to keep getting their best shot. We have to keep them from getting in a good rhythm starting games." Getting in rhythm early is something the Sixers must do. Their Herculean comeback was necessary because of extreme problems at both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. In the first half the Sixers shot just 23.1 percent from the field (9-for-39). And they were just as bad defensively, allowing Boston to make 19-of-36 of its shots (53 percent). In fact, had the Sixers not connected on 13 of their 21 free throws (compared to 4-for-5 for the Celtics) in the first half, the halftime lead, which grew to 18 points early in the third quarter, may have been much larger than 46-31. Boston, which easily defeated the Sixers on Wednesday in Game 3 at the Wells Fargo Center, outshot the Sixers in the game, 42.3 percent to 37.8. However, the Sixers forced the Celtics into eight second-half turnovers, which they converted into 11 points. Boston coach Doc Rivers said his team's loss of composure played a major role in the Celtics letting a plush opportunity slip through their hands. "We had the lead," Rivers said. "We had the chance to go up 3-1. I really don't think from the first quarter on we played with the same discipline that we played in the first quarter in my opinion. We start turning the ball over. We start making home run passes, and even though we still had a lead, I thought they chipped into the lead and it allowed them to hang around in the game." 5-on-5: What to Expect in Game 5 1 The Celtics will move Heaven and Hell to get Kevin Garnett off to a good start, because as he goes so go the Celtics. Garnett never found his rhythm in Game 4. They will funnel him the ball early. 2 Jrue Holiday needs to get going early. Sixers coach Doug Collins has talked about Holiday being aggressive early in games all season. His offense will force Rajon Rondo, when he's guarding him, to work more on the defensive end. 3 The Sixers went to the line a hefty 36 times Friday: Look for them to try for a repeat. 4 The Celtics need Ray Allen and the other reserves to pick it up offensively. Sixers reserves outscored Boston's bench 44-12 on Friday. Allen is starting to get healthy after battling nagging injuries all season long. The future Hall-of-Famer is due for a breakout game. 5 Spencer Hawes and Elton Brand really need to have good games to give the Sixers more balanced scoring along the frontcourt. On Friday they combined for just five points and five rebounds. - John N. Mitchell --

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