Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Schedule, forecasts and analysis of the NBA Playoffs series 2023

Los Boston Celtics y los Philadelphia 76ers faces are seen third time in the last six seasonsin a duel with a clear history in favor of the team today led by Joe Mazzulla: they prevailed by 4-1 in the Eastern Semis in 2018 and 4-0 in the First Round of 2020. For their part, the greens also won three out of four clashes of the Regular Phase 2022-2023.

The Sixers arrive at this instance after a 4-0 sobre Brooklynalthough with the doubt about the physique and the Joel Embiid’s right kneewho already missed Game 4 against the Nets. Boston didn’t have too many problems against the Hawks (4-2) and, without seriously injured, starts as a favorite in a series that promises to be exciting.

Next, all the details of the series of Conference Semifinals between Boston and Philadelphia.

Calendar | TV and streaming | Celtics | 76ers | Series key | Forecasts

*If necessary

• TV channels:
  • Argentina: ESPN, DSports and NBA TV
  • Spain: MDeportes, Let’s go
  • Mexico: ESPN y NBA TV
  • USA: ESPN, ABC, TNT y NBA TV
• Streaming:
  • Argentina: Star+, DGo and NBA League Pass
  • Spain: Movistar Plus+ y NBA League Pass
  • Mexico: Star+ y NBA League Pass
  • USA: NBA League Pass

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• Record: 57-25 (2nd in the Eastern Conference)
• Attack: 117.3 points every 100 possessions (2nd)
• Defending: 110.6 points every 100 possessions (2nd)
• starting quintet: Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford y Robert Williams
• Coach: Joe Mazzulla
• Leaders:
  • Points: Jayson Tatum (30,1)
  • bounces: Jayson Tatum (8,8)
  • Assists: Marcus Smart (6,3)
  • Thefts: Marcus Smart (1,5)
  • plugs: Robert Williams (1,4)
  • Field Percentage: Robert Williams (74,7%)
  • Three point percentage: Al Horford (44.6%)

In the First Round of the Playoffs, the Boston Celtics beat the Atlanta Hawks 4-2at a crossing whose process was much more open than what the final marker may indicate.

• Record: 54-28 (3rd in the Eastern Conference)
• Attack: 116.9 points per 100 possessions (3rd)
• Defending: 112.8 points per 100 possessions (8th)
• starting quintet: James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, PJ Tucker y Joel Embiid.
• Coach: Doc Rivers.
• Leaders:
  • Points: Joel Embiid (33,1)
  • bounces: Joel Embiid (10,2)
  • Assists: James Harden (10,7)
  • Thefts: De’Anthony Melton (1,6)
  • plugs: Joel Embiid (1,7)
  • Field Percentage: Montrezl Harrell (60,3%)
  • Three point percentage: Tyrese Maxey (43,4%)

Los Sixers barrieron a Brooklyn Nets in the First Round, in a 4-0 that had Tyrese Maxey as top scorer (21.8), followed by Tobias Harris (20,3). It was not the best crossing neither for Joel Embiid (20 points and 46% from the field, with injury included) nor for James Harden (17.3 points and 34% from the field).

As so many other times in the Playoffs, the Joel Embiid’s health appears at the center of concerns for the Philadelphia 76ers. The Cameroonian drags a right knee injurywhich already sidelined him from Game 4 against Brooklyn and that could make him stay out of the start of the series against the Celtics.

Boston is already the favorite with Embiid healthy, but without his star in full swing, there would be no logical path for the Sixers to compete in this matchup. Although of course, even if the ex-Kansas is available, then he will have to respond positively to other questions that have left their aappearances against the Celtics and in the postseason in general.

The truth is that this version Regular Phase MVP for Embiid, has rarely been seen in the playoffs. For one reason or another, the interior of the 76ers has noticeably lowered its performance in each postseason, to the point that it only averages 23.8 points and 47% from the field in his career in that instance, against 27.8 units and a 50% success rate during those same years in Regular Phase.

They are record of 25 wins and 22 losses in the Playoffs he is also not worthy of a superstar, who usually postulates himself as one of the best players in the league. Although year after year, at the moment of truth, reality seems to contradict it.

Of course, those problems in the postseason are even clearer in his record vs. Boston: 1-8 record with 26 points and 13 rebounds on average, but barely 45% from the field, 24% in triples and more turnovers (3.2) than assists (2.6).

The outlook isn’t too encouraging for Embiid in this series, and not just because of the background. The Celtics have two excellent defenders like Al Horford and Robert Williamsbut also players who tend to complicate it and generate losses in aid, such as Marcus Smart. JoJo comes from having many problems in the series against Brooklyn by the double-teams of the Nets (something that has complicated it throughout his career) and Boston has everything to replicate that pressure.

Can Embiid finally shed the stigma of the playoffs and show his most dominant self? Will that player who led the NBA in scoring in the last two seasons, exceeding 30 points on average, appear? Without that Embiid and regardless of what happens with the many other figures in the series, the crossover probably has little competitive.

While waiting for the odds and odds of the bookmakers, these are the Sporting News NBA staff predictions for the series between Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers.

• Leandro Fernandez: Celtics in 5
• Juan Estevez: Celtics in 6
• Agustin Aboy: Celtics in 6
• Sergio Rabinal: Celtics in 4

The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.