Previewing Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers Game 4 Round 1

The Boston Celtics are poised to sweep the Philadelphia 76ers from the first round of the 2020 East NBA Playoffs — but can they pull it off?

The Boston Celtics go for the kill in Game 4 of their first-round series with the Philadelphia 76ers, finding themselves surprisingly in a position to sweep the Pennsylvania franchise despite losing Gordon Hayward to a severe ankle sprain in Game 2.

The Sixers, down their own All-Star forward in one Ben Simmons themselves, are on the brink of elimination with few obvious moves to make after roster shake-ups and pep talks right out of your favorite sports movie flopped like Joel Embiid near the cup.

But if the Philadelphia center’s acting skills nor his bully-ball are enough to get the Sixers a win in the previous game, should we expect one to come in Game 4?

Even with the Celtics’ success against Philly so far, it would be foolish to count them out just yet.

With neither team having significant issues in the injury department beyond Simmons and Hayward (wings Glenn Robinson III and Javonte Green of Philly and Boston respectively may also miss Game 4, but neither is a key part of their respective team’s rotation), the one thing the Sixers have left is pride.

Their spirit to win it all might be broken, but they don’t want to leave without a win, so expect an assault even more furious than their Game 3 attack.

If we are being honest though, the biggest danger to a Celtics sweep is Boston themselves.

They talked the talk after Game 3 about showing up prepared, and based on recent play we have little to doubt them, but it wouldn’t be the most unusual outcome to see the Celtics drop a game by simply trying too little when the Sixers try their most.

Most online bookmakers doubt Philly will pull a rabbit out of this particular hat, however — granting Boston a -8 spread — and the Celtics Wire has to agree.

Our prediction is another close one, Boston winning 119-117.

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