The Philadelphia 76ers open their playoffs with the series against the Boston Celtics on Sunday at TD Garden. The 76ers finished the regular season with a 45-37 record to acquire seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Celtics finished with a 56-26 record to finish just behind the Detroit Pistons in the conference.
Ahead of the highly anticipated matchup, let’s take a look at the injury reports and starting lineup of both sides before getting to the predictions.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Injury Reports
76ers
For the 76ers, the only player listed on the injury report is center Joel Embiid, who is recovering from emergency appendectomy surgery that he underwent less than two weeks ago. Head coach Nick Nurse didn’t say much about Embiid’s potential availability ahead in the series.
“You know what? I’m preparing for Sunday’s game, and I know he’s not playing in that one,” Nurse said on Friday. “So that’s all – we’re just zeroed in on trying to see, can we go in there and get ready to battle and fight and execute as best we can?”
Trendon Watford is questionable due to undisclosed illness.
Fortunately for the 76ers, rookie Johni Broome, who has remained out since toring his right meniscus in February, was not mentioned in the injury report, meaning he will be available for the Sixers.
Celtics
In Boston’s camp, everyone is healthy and good to go. Jayson Tatum, who missed most of the season due to a torn Achilles tendon, returned in early March and has been available. Moreover, the Celtics will also have Jaylen Brown, who missed a few games due to Achilles tendinitis and Nikola Vučević, who missed a month with a hand injury, available for the first round playoffs game against the 76ers.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Starting Lineups
76ers
PG: Tyrese Maxey
SG: Quentin Grimes
SF: Paul George
PF: VJ Edgecombe
C: Andre Drummond
Celtics
PG: Derrick White
SG: Jaylen Brown
PF: Sam Hauser
SF: Jayson Tatum
C: Nikola Vucevic
Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Prediction
It will be difficult for the 76ers to win Game 1 against the Celtics. With Embiid out, they are vulnerable inside the paint as they are expected to lack in interior scoring, rebounding and defensive presence.
On the other hand, the Celtics have two superstar players in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. On top of that, the team has a pretty versatile roster filled with multiple scoring options and defensive matchups across all positions.
The focal point for the 76ers would be Tyrese Maxey who will have to tackle Boston’s elite perimeter defense.
The likelihood of 76ers coming out on top is very slim, even in the eyes of oddsmakers. The Celtics (-800) are odds-on favorites here against the Sixers (+550).
Prediction: Celtics 112, 76ers 98
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