We like simple analysis. We like to point to one or two reasons why a team won or lost, why a game turned out differently than we expected. But playoff series aren’t like that. The outcomes are built out of a myriad of small decisions, preparations, and adjustments.

The Sixers were healthy favorites heading into last night’s game, despite being on the road. And yet the Celtics pulled away for an easy, 16 point win. There’s no clear reason why it happened — instead, their victory emerged from a collection of small factors that piled up.