Three 76ers-Celtics questions with Sixers Wire’s Ky Carlin

We spoke with Sixers Wire editor Ky Carlin ahead of the Boston Celtics’ Jan. 9 road meeting with their Atlantic Division rivals, the Philadelphia 76ers.

The night after starting point guard Kemba Walker was ejected for the first time in his career, The Boston Celtics face the Philadelphia 76ers at home.

Ahead of the Boston’s Thursday night meeting with their Atlantic Division rivals, Celtics Wire caught up with Ky Carlin — the editor of Sixers Wire, our sister site — about the meeting between the two teams.

While both teams have been dealing with injury and illness of late, Philadelphia will be without Joel Embiid, one of the Celtics’ biggest obstacles to a win against the 76ers this season, and Boston is mostly healthy save for centers Robert Williams (hip) and Vincent Poirier (finger).

To find out what other issues might be coming to the fore in the third meeting between the teams this season (Philly winning the prior two), we asked Carlin to weigh in on tonight’s matchup.

Can you give me an overview of the Sixers’ season so far?

It’s been the ultimate roller coaster. This team possesses impressive wins such as the two over these Celtics, the Toronto Raptors, the Miami Heat, the Indiana Pacers, the Denver Nuggets, and a blowout over the Milwaukee Bucks. They also have lost twice to the Orlando Magic and own a loss to the hobbled Brooklyn Nets.

The Sixers overall have a ton of good talent, but it just has not meshed yet at all and it’s been a hindrance on the offensive end of the floor. It’s killing them.

How do the Sixers win Thursday’s matchup? How does Boston win?

They won’t be able to play true bully ball without Joel Embiid, but they can play fast which is the strength of Ben Simmons. This game screams “Ben Simmons offensive game” without Embiid. He will have to be aggressive and attack the basket using his elite size, strength, and athleticism to hurt Boston.

Boston will win if they use their speed and their quickness to get to the basket. Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown can use their perimeter game to pressure the Sixers and put them on their heels.

Also without Embiid, the Celtics can get to the basket and finish up over the slower Al Horford.

What else should we know?

Philadelphia has changed the way they run things offensively. Simmons is now used as a roller in the pick-and-roll game with the Sixers wanting to use his size and athleticism around the basket. They’ve also inserted Trey Burke into the rotation as he’s given them an offensive spark late in games.

The two teams face off at 7pm ET at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, with Boston trying to break a two-game losing streak. They are currently a game behind the Miami Heat in third place in the East, and have won seven of their last 10.

Philadelphia is 2.5 games behind the Celtics to hold fifth place in the East, having won their last game and a less-inspiring four of their last 10.

With Embiid out, the odds should be more favorable for a Boston win, but even still the 76ers have the advantage with the subdued way Boston has played of late. Online bookmakers agree, giving Philly a -2.5 spread for the contest.

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