The Celtics start the second a part of their season after the All Star break on the highway to tackle the 76ers in Philadelphia. That is the third of 4 video games between these two groups this season. The Celtics misplaced to the 76ers 118-114 in Boston on Christmas Day after which received 118-110 in a rematch in Philadelphia on February 2. They may meet yet another time in Boston on March 6.
The Celtics received the collection 3-1 final season with the 76ers profitable the primary assembly in Philadelphia and the Celtics profitable the ultimate 3 video games of the season, one in Philadelphia and a couple of in Boston. The Celtics are 271-198 total all time in opposition to the 76ers and they’re 114-141 all time in video games performed in Philadelphia.
The 76ers had a somewhat massive turnover in gamers going into this season.. They added Paul George, Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon and Guerschon Yabusele. In addition they drafted Jared McCain and Adem Bona. They misplaced Mo Bamba, Robert Covington, Tobias Harris, Buddy Hield, Cameron Payne, Paul Reed, Nicolas Batum, Darius Bazley and DeAnthony Melton. On the commerce deadline they
On the commerce deadline, the Sixers traded Caleb Martin to Dallas for Quentin Grimes and despatched Reggie Jackson to Washington for Jared Butler, who was on a two-way deal. The Sixers then transformed Butler to a 2-year commonplace contract. Extra not too long ago, they reportedly signed former Celtic Lonnie Walker IV. In addition they signed David Roddy to a ten day contract.
The Celtics stay 2nd within the East. They’re 5.5 video games behind 1st place Cleveland. They’re 2.5 video games forward of third place New York and eight video games forward of 4th place Indiana. They’re 22-6 on the highway and 8-2 of their final 10 video games. They’re 28-9 in opposition to Jap Convention groups and 7-2 in opposition to the Atlantic Division. They’ve received their final 3 video games.
The 76ers are eleventh within the East, 24 video games behind 1st place Cleveland. They’re 8.5 video games behind sixth place Detroit and the ultimate assured playoff spot. They’re 1.5 video games behind tenth place Chicago for the ultimate play in spot. They’re tied with twelfth place Brooklyn. They’re 10-17 at dwelling and 4-6 within the final 10 video games. They’re 14-19 in opposition to the Jap Convention and 3-5 in opposition to the Atlantic Division. They’ve misplaced their final 5 video games.
The Celtics start the ultimate stretch after the All Star break enjoying at Philadelphia earlier than returning dwelling in opposition to the Knicks. They then play on the Raptors and on the Pistons earlier than a 7 sport dwelling stand in opposition to Cleveland, Denver, Portland, Philadelphia, LA Lakers, Utah, and Oklahoma Metropolis.
That is the primary of three at dwelling for Philadelphia with Brooklyn and Chicago coming in subsequent. They then play at New York , at dwelling vs Golden State and Portland after which at Minnesota and their closing sport in opposition to the Celtics in Boston. Then it’s dwelling in opposition to Utah and on the highway at Atlanta and Toronto.
After lacking the final 4 video games for the Celtics with a shoulder damage, Jrue Vacation is not on the damage listing. Their solely entry is Xavier Tillman, who’s questionable with a knee damage. For the 76ers, Eric Gordon (wrist), Justin Edwards (ankle), Kyle Lowry (hip), and Jared McCain (knee) are all listed as out.
Possible Celtics Starters
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Celtics ReservesLuke KornetAl HorfordPayton PritchardNeemias QuetaBaylor ScheiermanJordan WalshSam HauserTorrey Craig
2 Method PlayersJD DavisonDrew PetersonAnton Watson
Accidents/OutXavier Tillman (knee) questionable
Head CoachJoe Mazzulla
Possible 76ers Starters
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76ers Reserves Adem BonaJared ButlerRicky Council IVAndre DrummondDavid Roddy (10 Day)Guerschon YabuseleLonnie Walker IV
2-Method PlayersJeff Dowtin, Jr
Accidents/Out Jared McCain (knee) out Justin Edwards (ankle) out Eric Gordon (wrist) outKyle Lowry (hip) out
Head CoachNick Nurse
Key Matchups
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Kristaps Porzingis
Photograph by G Fiume/Getty Photos
Joel Embiid
Photograph by Emilee Chinn/Getty Photos
Kristaps Porzingis vs Joel EmbiidEmbiid has performed simply 17 video games up to now however just isn’t listed as out up to now for this sport. He’s averaging 24.9 factors, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1 block per sport. He’s capturing 45.4% from the sphere and 33.3% from past the arc. In opposition to the Celtics in 1 sport up to now, Embiid completed with 27 factors, 9 rebounds, and a couple of assists whereas capturing 53.3% from the sphere and 80% from three. I anticipate to see Al Horford defending him for a minimum of a part of the time as a result of prior to now, he has been efficient in opposition to him.
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Jrue Vacation
Photograph by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE through Getty Photos
Tyrese Maxey
Photograph by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE through Getty Photos
Jrue Vacation vs Tyrese MaxeyMaxey has blossomed now that he has the keys to the workforce. Maxey is averaging 27.6 factors, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per sport. He’s capturing 44.7% from the sphere and 34.6% from past the arc. In 2 video games in opposition to the Celtics, he averaged 33.5 factors, 3.5 rebounds, 9 assists and 1.5 steals per sport, whereas capturing 47.7% from the sphere and 47.1% from past the arc. He’s very fast and troublesome to stick with within the open court docket. Hopefully Vacation and White will likely be 100% and in a position to gradual him down. Hopefully Tatum can choose up his robust play the place he left off earlier than the break.
Honorable MentionJayson Tatum vs Paul GeorgeGeorge is averaging 16.1 factors, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per sport. He’s capturing 42.6% from the sphere and 36.3% from past the arc. Within the one sport that George performed in opposition to the Celtics, he completed with 12 factors, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and three steals whereas capturing 26.7% from the sphere and 0% on threes. Each of those gamers are good defenders and so that can make it more durable for both one to attain.
Keys to the GameDefense – Protection will all the time be key to profitable each sport. The Celtics are fifth within the league with a defensive ranking of 109.6. The 76ers are twenty third with a defensive ranking of 115.0. The 76ers are twenty sixth within the league, averaging 109.1 factors per sport. The Celtics are sixth, averaging 117.2 factors per sport. The Celtics want to extend their efforts on the defensive finish much more. They need to make protection their precedence for each possession of the sport as a result of that’s how they’re going to win this sport and a 2nd championship.
Rebound – Rebounding is second to protection as the important thing to profitable. The Celtics are ninth within the league, flattening 45.1 rebounds per sport whereas the 76ers are thirtieth with 39.0 rebounds per sport. It takes effort to get rebounds and the Celtics should go all out of their effort to beat the Sixers on the boards. The Celtics additionally want to offer themselves further possessions by rebounding on the offensive finish and hold the 76ers from getting 2nd probability factors on the defensive finish. If the Celtics need to win this one, it’s essential that they go all out to crash the boards.
Transfer the Ball Rigorously – The Celtics want to maneuver the ball with the intention to discover the most effective shot on every possession. When the ball sticks and gamers attempt to do an excessive amount of, the Celtics battle. They’re at their finest once they go the ball and hold it shifting. However they need to make cautious passes and never get sloppy as a result of the 76ers common 19.6 factors off turnovers per sport (third). In addition they have a minimum of 10 steals of their final 28 video games, which is third most within the league.
Play Onerous 48 Minutes – The Celtics have to begin out robust and play exhausting for 48 minutes, proper up till the ultimate buzzer. The Celtics additionally should play exhausting all through the sport and never get complacent if they’re up. The Celtics can also’t let the 76ers construct a lead and need to climb again into the sport. The Celtics at instances are likely to play down to groups with unhealthy information or who’re lacking gamers, however the 76ers
X-Elements On the Highway – The Celtics will likely be on the highway and dealing with a really hostile crowd. Philly followers hate the Celtics as a result of they’ve just about owned them lately. They hate Al Horford as a result of they didn’t use him appropriately and he didn’t stay as much as their expectations. They hate Jayson Tatum as a result of the Celtics took him with Philly’s choose after the 76ers traded as much as take Markelle Fultz. There’ll doubtless be lots of boos and the Celtics have to play via them.
Rust vs Relaxation – Each groups are coming off of per week lengthy All Star break. There’ll doubtless be some rust on either side, though each Jaylen and Jayson performed very effectively on Sunday, in order that they shouldn’t be fairly as rusty. The Celtics ought to nonetheless have higher chemistry because the 76ers as soon as once more made key modifications on the commerce deadline. The remainder must be good for these gamers who had been battling nagging accidents however may trigger rust on either side.
Officiating – Officiating is all the time an x-factor. Each crew calls the sport in a different way. Some name it tight and name each little bit of contact whereas others enable extra bodily play. Some favor the house workforce whereas others name either side evenly. The Celtics have to regulate to the way in which the refs are calling the sport and never enable the no calls and unhealthy calls to have an effect on their deal with enjoying the sport.
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