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 are going to meet yet one more time in Boston on March 6.
The Celtics received the sequence 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 towards the 76ers and they’re 114-141 all time in video games performed in Philadelphia.
The 76ers had a quite giant turnover in gamers going into this season.. They added Paul George, Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon and Guerschon Yabusele. Additionally 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 normal contract. Extra lately, they reportedly signed former Celtic Lonnie Walker IV. Additionally 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 towards Jap Convention groups and 7-2 towards 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 residence and 4-6 within the final 10 video games. They’re 14-19 towards the Jap Convention and 3-5 towards the Atlantic Division. They’ve misplaced their final 5 video games.
The Celtics start the ultimate stretch after the All Star break taking part in at Philadelphia earlier than returning residence towards the Knicks. They then play on the Raptors and on the Pistons earlier than a 7 recreation residence stand towards Cleveland, Denver, Portland, Philadelphia, LA Lakers, Utah, and Oklahoma Metropolis.
That is the primary of three at residence for Philadelphia with Brooklyn and Chicago coming in subsequent. They then play at New York , at residence vs Golden State and Portland after which at Minnesota and their last recreation towards the Celtics in Boston. Then it’s residence towards Utah and on the highway at Atlanta and Toronto.
After lacking the final 4 video games for the Celtics with a shoulder harm, Jrue Vacation is now not on the harm checklist. Their solely entry is Xavier Tillman, who’s questionable with a knee harm. 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 Approach 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-Approach 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
Picture by G Fiume/Getty Pictures
Joel Embiid
Picture by Emilee Chinn/Getty Pictures
Kristaps Porzingis vs Joel EmbiidEmbiid has performed simply 17 video games up to now however will not be listed as out up to now for this recreation. He’s averaging 24.9 factors, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1 block per recreation. He’s capturing 45.4% from the sector and 33.3% from past the arc. Towards the Celtics in 1 recreation up to now, Embiid completed with 27 factors, 9 rebounds, and a couple of assists whereas capturing 53.3% from the sector and 80% from three. I anticipate to see Al Horford defending him for not less than a part of the time as a result of previously, he has been efficient towards him.
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Jrue Vacation
Picture by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
Tyrese Maxey
Picture by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
Jrue Vacation vs Tyrese MaxeyMaxey has blossomed now that he has the keys to the staff. Maxey is averaging 27.6 factors, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per recreation. He’s capturing 44.7% from the sector and 34.6% from past the arc. In 2 video games towards the Celtics, he averaged 33.5 factors, 3.5 rebounds, 9 assists and 1.5 steals per recreation, whereas capturing 47.7% from the sector and 47.1% from past the arc. He’s very fast and tough to stick with within the open court docket. Hopefully Vacation and White will likely be 100% and capable of 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 recreation. He’s capturing 42.6% from the sector and 36.3% from past the arc. Within the one recreation that George performed towards the Celtics, he completed with 12 factors, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and three steals whereas capturing 26.7% from the sector and 0% on threes. Each of those gamers are good defenders and so that may make it more durable for both one to attain.
Keys to the GameDefense – Protection will all the time be key to profitable each recreation. 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 recreation. The Celtics are sixth, averaging 117.2 factors per recreation. The Celtics want to extend their efforts on the defensive finish much more. They must make protection their precedence for each possession of the sport as a result of that’s how they’re going to win this recreation 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 recreation whereas the 76ers are thirtieth with 39.0 rebounds per recreation. 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 provide 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 wish to win this one, it’s essential that they go all out to crash the boards.
Transfer the Ball Fastidiously – The Celtics want to maneuver the ball with the intention to discover one of the best shot on every possession. When the ball sticks and gamers attempt to do an excessive amount of, the Celtics wrestle. They’re at their greatest once they go the ball and hold it shifting. However they must make cautious passes and never get sloppy as a result of the 76ers common 19.6 factors off turnovers per recreation (third). Additionally they have not less than 10 steals of their final 28 video games, which is third most within the league.
Play Arduous 48 Minutes – The Celtics have to begin out robust and play laborious for 48 minutes, proper up till the ultimate buzzer. The Celtics additionally should play laborious all through the sport and never get complacent if they’re up. The Celtics can also’t let the 76ers construct a lead and must climb again into the sport. The Celtics at instances are inclined to play down to groups with dangerous 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 possible be loads 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 possible be some rust on each side, though each Jaylen and Jayson performed very effectively on Sunday, so 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 needs to be good for these gamers who have been battling nagging accidents however may trigger rust on each 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 permit extra bodily play. Some favor the house staff whereas others name each side evenly. The Celtics have to regulate to the way in which the refs are calling the sport and never permit the no calls and dangerous calls to have an effect on their give attention to taking part in the sport.
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