76ers vs. Celtics, 1:00 ET
76ers vs. Celtics, 1:00 ET
We had a full day of excitement yesterday as the first half of the NBA playoffs took place. I’ve already stressed how much I love Playoff basketball, but it really doesn’t get any better than this. In this series, we have two passionate fan bases going head-to-head as the 76ers take on the Celtics.
The 76ers got here by winning the Play-In Game. They were probably the best looking team in the Play-In series when they won at home and by double digits. However, there is still reason to be concerned about Philadelphia. There are a number of questions about Joel Embiid and his availability following appendectomy. With a healthy Embiid, it seems like the 76ers would have a big advantage as the worst position the Celtics have is center. Nikola Vucevic was repeatedly tormented by Embiid when he was with the Bulls. However, we don’t really know what form he will be in if he plays. The team will need Tyrese Maxey and Paul George to be extremely aggressive and effective to have any hope in this series. I don’t think the 76ers are overly deep, but in the playoffs when the benches get shorter, they could at least contend.
Philadelphia 76er combo guard Tyrese Maxey Philadelphia drives to the hoop on Heat big Bam Adebayo at the Kaseya Center in Miami. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Celtics went from being a team that no one expected to go anywhere to a team that finished second in the East. It seems crazy to say they had low expectations, but that’s what happens when your second best player (yes, I said what I said) is injured and not expected back this year. And when the team trades away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason, it doesn’t make people think Boston would be great. Jaylen Brown, the best Celtic player, had other ideas and played like an MVP candidate this year. Already the owner of a Finals MVP, Brown can help lead Boston to another deep run if the team is healthy. Sure, having Tatum back helps, but I still expect them to be careful with him – but this series is one Boston could win without him, even if he doesn’t want to come back as a role player.
I’m not sure about the spread for this game. I can make a pretty convincing case for both. The 76ers have less rust and usually try to do anything to steal a game on the road. There’s an element of surprise here, so it’s possible they could advance. On the Celtics side, being at home has a huge advantage, especially if Embiid isn’t back, which it looks like he won’t be at the time of this article. I think this match will be more offense than defense. I don’t think the teams need to feel each other. Boston will shoot threes, and Philly, without Embiid, is at its best when they play with more tempo. Give me the ones above 212.5.
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