Brett Brown’s coaching blunder cost the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2.

The whole city was waiting for it.  The Philadelphia 76ers were waiting for it.  The Celtics were waiting for it.  But it never happened.

What was Brett Brown thinking?

On Thursday night I wanted a timeout, and the Sixers needed a timeout, but Brett Brown never took one.  With 3:45 remaining in the first half, the Sixers were up by 19.  By halftime the Celtics had seized momentum and cut the lead to five at 56-51.  And Boston had taken control of the game, running in the open court and finishing with highlight-reel slam dunks, banging down open threes, and sending the TD Garden crowd into an overly-rambunctious frenzy.

They needed to be quieted.  The Sixers looked fatigued.  A timeout would have stopped the onslaught while the Sixers took a breather and regrouped.  Brown could have scripted a play, perhaps slowing things down and dumping the ball into Joel Embiid for an easy two or foul shots.  They could have regained their composure and possibly control of the game.

Would it have worked?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  But it was the smart play, especially when you’re coaching a young team on enemy turf.  And really, it’s all you have as a coach to stop momentum.  Ask yourself if Brad Stevens would have a taken a timeout or two there.  You bet he would.

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