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Joe Mazzulla Calls 76ers 'Tough Test' For Celtics Before Playoff Matchup originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Joe Mazzulla won't take the Philadelphia 76ers lightly as the Boston Celtics prepare for their first-round series.
The Celtics commence their championship pursuit against the 76ers, who secured the Eastern Conference's No. 7 seed with Wednesday's play-in victory over the Orlando Magic. Mazzulla credited Boston's upcoming opponents for overcoming adversity throughout the season, per WEEI's Justin Turpin.
"We know we have to be at our best. We know they're gonna be at their best," Mazzulla said on Friday. "Philly is a great team, as you saw throughout the season. To get to this point with all the injuries that they've had, and to be where they are now, it's gonna be a tough test for us. We’ve got to be ready for it."
Paul George played just 37 games this season, but the nine-time All-Star is healthy for his first postseason with the 76ers. However, Joel Embiid could be another story.
An abdominal injury has sidelined Embiid since April 6, and ESPN's Shams Charania said the 76ers are prepared to begin the Celtics series without the MVP center.
Boston, on the other hand, enters the playoffs with a healthy Jayson Tatum after withstanding his recovery from an Achilles tear. The Celtics are 12.5-point favorites to begin the best-of-seven series with a victory at TD Garden.
Embiid's absence would pose a major obstacle to the 76ers' first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2001. Mazzulla still shouldn't let his team overlook them.
Game 1 starts on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on ABC.
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