PHILADELPHIA -- As terrific as Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe was in their Game 2 win over the Boston Celtics, it was that much of a struggle for him in Friday's 108-100 loss in Game 3 at home.
Edgecombe had 10 points on 5-for-17 shooting and 0-for-7 from deep along with 10 rebounds and five assists. He did so many good things on Friday, but the shooting struggles were a big factor for the Sixers and he was unable to really break through and find his rhythm.
It was obvious that the Celtics shaded more attention toward him. They made an adjustment, and Edgecombe knows it as he now needs to make an adjustment of his own in the look ahead to Game 4.
"Yeah, but that's what happens in playoffs," Edgecombe said. "It's my first dose of it. I understand what it is to make adjustments. Especially, in a certain, obviously, in the series. So, I mean, I definitely missed a few ones, few wide-open ones. The coverage against me was different. Which, I expected. I just had to do a better job preparing for it. I'm pretty sure it'll probably be similar next game."
Despite the struggles, the Sixers remain confident in Edgecombe. There are so many times when this young rookie has been able to just shake off slow starts and come up with some huge plays in the guts of the game. He has shown that ability time and time again. Another big aspect for him has been his ability to move on to the next game and just bounce back.
"I thought he had really good looks," coach Nick Nurse stated. "There was maybe one that he kind of shook somebody down step back, but he just kind of hit one of those last game, right? My thing is, I just wanted him to keep shooting. The right play is swung over to him, and he's open. Again, I think he was 0-for-6 going into the fourth, maybe, and I was thinking, ‘You know, it wouldn't surprise me if this kid banged about three here in the fourth’, and you know, and that's just kind of the mentality that I'm going to stay with, because he's kind of been that way all year, and he'll probably chase it up with a hell of a game."
As mentioned, the Celtics certainly made sure that Edgecombe didn't have much space in Game 3. That will probably be the same case in Game 4 on Sunday. The rookie will just have to be ready for what's to come and give the Sixers the offensive production they need to even this series up.
"It wasn't as much space as there was Game 2," Edgecombe finished. "I think that's it, but then I also just missed a few wide open shots that I was making here. Just gotta be better."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers' VJ Edgecombe addresses his struggles in Game 3 loss to Celtics