- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,135,954
- Reaction score
- 59
The Philadelphia 76ers are off to the playoffs for the first time since 2024 as they prepare to now face the Boston Celtics in Round 1. The Sixers clinched the No. 7 seed with a play-in win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday and are looking to now make some noise in the playoffs against an opponent who will be heavily favored.
The Sixers and the Celtics split their season series at 2-2, but three of those games came in the first 11 for Philadelphia. Paul George didn't play in any of the four matchups for the Sixers while Jayson Tatum didn't play in any of the four for the Celtics. Joel Embiid played in two of the matchups between the two teams, so there isn't a lot to go off of in terms of the stars, but there is enough data to look at between these teams to move forward into this series.
Here is a complete deep dive into this series, including numbers, X-Factors, matchups, and a prediction:
The Celtics are a strong defensive team. There is no denying that as they ranked fourth in the league in defensive rating, but they do struggle with quicker guards who are dynamic off the dribble and can attack in a number of different ways. In four games against the Celtics, Maxey averaged 30.0 points, 8.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 41.8% from the floor and 51.4% from deep. Of course, his finger could play a factor in his 3-point shooting as it continues to bother him a bit, but his quickness and ability to get to the rim will be something that Boston could struggle with.
Then, there's Edgecombe, who made his NBA debut against these Celtics at the TD Garden way back on Oct. 22. He had 34 points that night as he put the city of Boston and the league on notice that he was going to be a problem. The No. 3 pick averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 43.5% from the floor and 41.2% from deep in the four games between these teams. One has to believe Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is going to come up with some type of game plan that will slow at least one of them down, but the Sixers will continue to rely on their guards to carry the offense.
Anybody who's watched the Celtics over the years under Mazzulla know they rely heavily on the 3-point shot. Boston ranked 8th in the league in 3-point percentage at 36.7% per night while taking 42.1 per game which ranks 4th in the league. Everybody on Boston, outside of big man Neemias Queta, can knock down a 3-pointer, which is what makes the Celtics so dangerous. Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, Tatum, Derrick White, and anybody else they will call upon will put pressure on the Sixers with the 3-point looks. When considering Philadelphia loves to overhelp on drivers, it will be imperative for the rotations to be on point and to make sure the Sixers contest on Boston's 3-point looks. Philadelphia ranks 23rd in 3-point shooting. This cannot turn into a 3-point contest.
Rebounding has been a bit of a problem for the Sixers on the season as they ranked 17th in rebounding at 43.6 per game while the Celtics ranked 3rd in rebounding at 46.4 per game. The Celtics also ranked 7th in offensive rebounding at 12.5 per game, and fifth in offensive rebounding percentage per StatMuse, as they have a lot of players who will attack the glass and give Boston extra possessions out on the floor. The Sixers struggle on the defensive glass and that can be something that swings things in Boston's favor.
Philadelphia will certainly employ Andre Drummond at the big man spot to help fix this issue, but the Sixers will need Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Paul George to all attack the glass and help in this area. The Celtics are a relentless bunch and the extra possessions will prove to be something that will decide each game in this series.
As mentioned, neither George nor Tatum played in any of the four matchups in the regular season, and whatever impact each player can have on this series will be a big deciding factor for each team. The lineups with George have been a mixed bag for Philadelphia. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Sixers were only plus-3.0 in 2,347 possessions as the offense has been a bit clunky at times, but the defense has been good with George on the floor as Philadelphia is in the 74th percentile at 113.1 points given up per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
As for Tatum, Cleaning the Glass has the Celtics at plus-10.8 points in 1,052 possessions with him on the floor in the 16 games he's played. Boston is scoring 122.4 points per 100 possessions and giving up 111.6 in those instances. The George and Tatum matchup will be the big one either team in this series as the Sixers and Celtics look to get the most out of their respective star wing players.
The Celtics have some real depth they can turn to off their bench led by Payton Pritchard who averaged 17.2 points and shot 42.9% from deep in 29 games off the bench after beginning the season as a starter. Jordan Walsh has stepped up as one of Boston's perimeter defenders while guys like rookie Hugo Gonzalez, Nikola Vucevic, and Baylor Scheierman will all step in and produce when called upon. Boston ranked 16th in the league in bench scoring at 36.8 per game per StatMuse.
Therefore, the Sixers will need Quentin Grimes, Drummond, Justin Edwards, and Dominick Barlow to step in and give Philadelphia some production on both ends of the floor. Grimes is a bit streaky, but when he is able to give the Sixers that type of explosive scoring, then it changes things for Philadelphia on the offensive end of the floor. One has to believe Edwards will get a look at some point in this series due to his ability to shoot the ball and give the Sixers a little bit of everything.
The Sixers are riding the momentum of a play-in tournament win over the Orlando Magic, but the Celtics are probably the worst matchup for them. Boston does everything well that Philadelphia struggles with, and with Embiid likely out for this whole series, it doesn't bode well for the Sixers. The play of the supporting cast combined with what Jaylen Brown and Tatum can do when they get going on the offensive end is not great. The play of Maxey and Edgecombe will keep the Sixers in games, but it won't be enough.
Prediction: Celtics in 5
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers vs. Celtics Round 1 deep dive: numbers, X-Factors, prediction
Continue reading...
The Sixers and the Celtics split their season series at 2-2, but three of those games came in the first 11 for Philadelphia. Paul George didn't play in any of the four matchups for the Sixers while Jayson Tatum didn't play in any of the four for the Celtics. Joel Embiid played in two of the matchups between the two teams, so there isn't a lot to go off of in terms of the stars, but there is enough data to look at between these teams to move forward into this series.
Here is a complete deep dive into this series, including numbers, X-Factors, matchups, and a prediction:
Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe vs. Celtics
You must be registered for see images attach
The Celtics are a strong defensive team. There is no denying that as they ranked fourth in the league in defensive rating, but they do struggle with quicker guards who are dynamic off the dribble and can attack in a number of different ways. In four games against the Celtics, Maxey averaged 30.0 points, 8.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 41.8% from the floor and 51.4% from deep. Of course, his finger could play a factor in his 3-point shooting as it continues to bother him a bit, but his quickness and ability to get to the rim will be something that Boston could struggle with.
Then, there's Edgecombe, who made his NBA debut against these Celtics at the TD Garden way back on Oct. 22. He had 34 points that night as he put the city of Boston and the league on notice that he was going to be a problem. The No. 3 pick averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 43.5% from the floor and 41.2% from deep in the four games between these teams. One has to believe Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is going to come up with some type of game plan that will slow at least one of them down, but the Sixers will continue to rely on their guards to carry the offense.
3-pointers galore
You must be registered for see images attach
Anybody who's watched the Celtics over the years under Mazzulla know they rely heavily on the 3-point shot. Boston ranked 8th in the league in 3-point percentage at 36.7% per night while taking 42.1 per game which ranks 4th in the league. Everybody on Boston, outside of big man Neemias Queta, can knock down a 3-pointer, which is what makes the Celtics so dangerous. Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, Tatum, Derrick White, and anybody else they will call upon will put pressure on the Sixers with the 3-point looks. When considering Philadelphia loves to overhelp on drivers, it will be imperative for the rotations to be on point and to make sure the Sixers contest on Boston's 3-point looks. Philadelphia ranks 23rd in 3-point shooting. This cannot turn into a 3-point contest.
Rebounding battle
You must be registered for see images
Rebounding has been a bit of a problem for the Sixers on the season as they ranked 17th in rebounding at 43.6 per game while the Celtics ranked 3rd in rebounding at 46.4 per game. The Celtics also ranked 7th in offensive rebounding at 12.5 per game, and fifth in offensive rebounding percentage per StatMuse, as they have a lot of players who will attack the glass and give Boston extra possessions out on the floor. The Sixers struggle on the defensive glass and that can be something that swings things in Boston's favor.
Philadelphia will certainly employ Andre Drummond at the big man spot to help fix this issue, but the Sixers will need Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Paul George to all attack the glass and help in this area. The Celtics are a relentless bunch and the extra possessions will prove to be something that will decide each game in this series.
Most important matchup: Paul George vs. Jayson Tatum
You must be registered for see images
As mentioned, neither George nor Tatum played in any of the four matchups in the regular season, and whatever impact each player can have on this series will be a big deciding factor for each team. The lineups with George have been a mixed bag for Philadelphia. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Sixers were only plus-3.0 in 2,347 possessions as the offense has been a bit clunky at times, but the defense has been good with George on the floor as Philadelphia is in the 74th percentile at 113.1 points given up per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
As for Tatum, Cleaning the Glass has the Celtics at plus-10.8 points in 1,052 possessions with him on the floor in the 16 games he's played. Boston is scoring 122.4 points per 100 possessions and giving up 111.6 in those instances. The George and Tatum matchup will be the big one either team in this series as the Sixers and Celtics look to get the most out of their respective star wing players.
X-Factor: Bench units
You must be registered for see images attach
The Celtics have some real depth they can turn to off their bench led by Payton Pritchard who averaged 17.2 points and shot 42.9% from deep in 29 games off the bench after beginning the season as a starter. Jordan Walsh has stepped up as one of Boston's perimeter defenders while guys like rookie Hugo Gonzalez, Nikola Vucevic, and Baylor Scheierman will all step in and produce when called upon. Boston ranked 16th in the league in bench scoring at 36.8 per game per StatMuse.
Therefore, the Sixers will need Quentin Grimes, Drummond, Justin Edwards, and Dominick Barlow to step in and give Philadelphia some production on both ends of the floor. Grimes is a bit streaky, but when he is able to give the Sixers that type of explosive scoring, then it changes things for Philadelphia on the offensive end of the floor. One has to believe Edwards will get a look at some point in this series due to his ability to shoot the ball and give the Sixers a little bit of everything.
Series prediction
You must be registered for see images
The Sixers are riding the momentum of a play-in tournament win over the Orlando Magic, but the Celtics are probably the worst matchup for them. Boston does everything well that Philadelphia struggles with, and with Embiid likely out for this whole series, it doesn't bode well for the Sixers. The play of the supporting cast combined with what Jaylen Brown and Tatum can do when they get going on the offensive end is not great. The play of Maxey and Edgecombe will keep the Sixers in games, but it won't be enough.
Prediction: Celtics in 5
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers vs. Celtics Round 1 deep dive: numbers, X-Factors, prediction
Continue reading...
