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Here it is. The playoffs. After an excruciatingly long 2019-20 season that included a lot of ups and downs on the court, a lot of injury issues, and then a global pandemic, the playoffs are finally here and for the Philadelphia 76ers, it offers them a shot at winning the title they so desperately crave.
Their opponent is the rival Boston Celtics who the Sixers took three of four matchups from during the regular season, but the Celtics are the healthier team and they have more chemistry and continuity. On top of that, the last time these teams matched up, Boston knocked off Philadelphia in the semifinals in 2018. There is a lot of intrigue in this series from both sides and it should be exciting when things begin on Monday.
With that said, here is the preview to this one:
How to watch Sixers vs. Celtics Game 1
- Date: Monday, August 17
- Time: 6:30 p.m. EST
- Location: The Field House Orlando, FL
- TV: ESPN, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Injury Report
- Sixers: OUT: Ben Simmons (left knee surgery), Glenn Robinson III (oblique muscle strain)
- Celtics: QUESTIONABLE: Romeo Langford (right wrist sprain) PROBABLE: Vincent Poirier (left groin strain)
Storylines
Sixers relying on size advantage
Philadelphia has one size advantage in this matchup due to the fact that they have one of the best players in the game in Joel Embiid. He will have to get the job done down low and dominate the game in a way that only he can. That means getting to the foul line and making quick decisions on the low block. That is how the team will win this series.
“We’re going to use some of our strengths which is our size,” said Tobias Harris with a smile. “We have the most dominant big man in the game so using Joel on the block and have him go to work. That’s about all the intel I can give you right now.”
Thybulle up to the challenge
Without Ben Simmons, the Sixers will have to rely on other players to step up and give the team a presence on the defensive end of the floor. For the Sixers, that means they’re going to lean on rookie Matisse Thybulle who has established himself as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. This is nothing new for Thybulle though as he has been taking on these challenges all season.
“This is really no different,” said the rookie. “Every game I’ve played, my job is to guard the best player. Really for me, it’s no different. I think the stakes are a little bit higher and I think we all feel that, but in terms of how I’m approaching it, it’s the same way I’ve had to approach every game. Because every game thus far has been me trying to prove myself to the league and to our coaches and my teammates and now it’s our team trying to prove ourselves as being the best.”
Prediction
Teams always want to get the job done in Game 1 and getting off to a fast start in a series, but this is going to be tough for Philadelphia to do so without Simmons. Boston is an established team that is led by three players who averaged over 20 points this season in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kemba Walker and another in Gordon Hayward who has the capability to do the same. The Sixers will be tested early and often in this first game.
Pick: Celtics in a close one
Sixers vs. Celtics season series
October 23: 107-93 Sixers
December 12: 115-109 Sixers
January 9: 109-98 Sixers
February 1: 116-95 Celtics
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