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Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh is preparing to defend Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey in their NBA playoff series.
Walsh was not in the rotation for two October games against Philadelphia.
He watched from the bench as Maxey averaged 33 points and 10 assists.
Maxey shot 52.5 percent from the field and 61.1 percent from three-point range.
The Celtics had no answers for him in those early matchups.
Walsh’s opportunity came when the teams met again on November 11.
He guarded Maxey for 27 possessions at TD Garden.
Walsh held Maxey to just 1-for-9 shooting during that stretch.
Maxey was 4 for 8 against all other Celtics defenders.
“My focus was completely on him and his tendencies,” Walsh said.
He focused on how to stop Maxey and how to make him mad.
“It was cool to have that opportunity,” Walsh added.
He appreciated the level of trust from coach Joe Mazzulla and the staff.
They put in extra hours walking him through plays and Maxey’s effectiveness.
The 76ers won that November game.
But the result provided useful data for Boston’s coaching staff.
It is a point they could revisit later in the season.
Walsh has shown he can bother opponents of all sizes and speeds.
He might be Boston’s best option against the 76ers’ score-first point guard.
“Just taking away tendencies and then knowing the small things that get under his skin,” Walsh said.
He emphasized not letting the opponent do what they want to do.
The goal is to force them to a second or third option.
“Make them go to their second option, their third option, their second move,” Walsh stated.
If Maxey wants to go right for a step-back, Walsh will try to stop it.
“Make him do something else,” Walsh said.
“And then usually we’ll live with the end result.”
The seventh-seeded 76ers landed in this first-round series against the second-seeded Celtics.
The value of Walsh’s early matchups against Maxey has become apparent.
76ers star center Joel Embiid is sidelined for at least Game 1 on Sunday.
Embiid underwent an emergency appendectomy ten days ago.
With Embiid out, Maxey figures to be an even bigger focus for Philadelphia’s offense.
This increases the importance of Walsh’s defensive assignment for the Celtics.
