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The Boston Celtics (45-12, 26-3 residence) goal to safe their ninth consecutive win of their ultimate common season matchup towards the faltering Philadelphia 76ers (33-24, 15-11 away). With solely three defeats on the TD Backyard this season, the Celtics are set to host Philadelphia in a primetime TNT televised showdown.
Boston is 269-197 towards the Metropolis of Brotherly Love, which roster appears vastly completely different in comparison with their different matchups. Busy on the commerce deadline, Philadelphia landed Buddy Hield and signed Kyle Lowry.
Having secured a 2-1 file towards the 76ers this season, Boston goals to clinch the season collection and keep a considerable lead over Philadelphia, not solely within the Jap Convention standings but additionally within the Atlantic Division. For the second consecutive sport, the Celtics enter this matchup with a totally wholesome roster. Actually, Jordan Walsh has been recalled from the Maine Celtics.
Boston stays the NBA frontrunner, showcasing a league-leading 45-12 file, bolstered by their spectacular residence court docket file. With a win proportion of .789, the Celtics keep a commanding lead of seven.5 video games over the Cleveland Cavaliers for the highest seed and a 12-game benefit over the fifth-seeded Philadelphia.
Because the season progresses, the Celtics emerge as essentially the most well-rounded workforce within the league, main in offensive score with 121 factors per sport and rating third in defensive score with 110.7 factors allowed per 100 possessions. Tonight they’re the heavy favorites by 12 factors over Philadelphia.
Underneath the steerage of head coach Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics prioritize protection, holding opponents to a median of 110 factors per sport. Notably, they rank among the many high 5 groups in perimeter protection and general discipline objective proportion.
Amidst an eight-game profitable streak, the Celtics have secured victories towards the Grizzlies, Hawks, Wizards, Warmth, Nets (twice), Bulls, and Knicks. Main the league with a +10.3 level differential, Boston holds a league main 15.6 internet score by the month of February. This month alone, they’re high 5 in a number of statistical classes, together with assists to turnover ratio (2.40) , efficient discipline objective proportion (61.3), and true capturing proportion (63.7).
The Celtics will start a short three-game homestand tonight, with upcoming matchups towards the Mavericks and Warriors. It’s noteworthy that the workforce has posted a powerful 16-3 file since their 135-102 defeat towards the Bucks.
Throughout their eight-game profitable streak, the Celtics are averaging asecond-best 124.8 factors per sport, together with 29 assists, 44 rebounds, and seven.3 blocks. They’re capturing 52.9 % from the sphere and 40.9 % from past the arc.
On the flip facet, it’s been powerful for the 76ers. At the moment holding the fifth seed, Philadelphia has a 3-7 file of their final ten video games. Following a harsh 119-98 defeat towards Milwaukee, the 76ers are nonetheless with out their star Joel Embiid attributable to a knee harm. Though the workforce anticipates his comeback for the playoffs, he’ll stay sidelined for tonight’s matchup. They completed 1-4 of their latest residence stand.
Underneath the management of guard Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia holds the seventh place in offensive score (117.7) and the twelfth spot in protection (114). Nevertheless, of their final ten video games, they’ve encountered offensive challenges, averaging solely 109.2 factors per sport whereas capturing 44.8 % from the sphere and 33.6 % from past the arc.
In a nut shell, this workforce is going through struggles and has been unable to beat top-seeded groups just like the Knicks and Bucks. With three consecutive video games scoring beneath 100 factors, it’s evident that Maxey can not shoulder the load alone.
Additionally, it’s the primary matchup between the 2 for the reason that 76ers traded Jaden Springer to the Celtics in alternate for a second-round draft decide. Will probably be fascinating to see if he’ll earn some enjoying time towards his former workforce.
Possible Celtics Starters
Celtics Starters
- PG, #4 : Jrue Vacation
- SG, #9: Derrick White
- SF, #7: Jaylen Brown
- PF, #0: Jayson Tatum
- C: #8: Kristaps Porzingis
Celtics Reserves
- G, #11: Jaden Springer
- G, #50: Svi Mykhailiuk
- G, #11: Payton Pritchard
- G, #27: Jordan Walsh
- G, #20: JD Davidson (2-way participant)
- F, #12: Oshae Brissett
- F, #30: Sam Hauser
- F #26: Xavier Tillman
- F, #13: Drew Peterson (2-way participant)
- F, #42: Al Horford
- C, #40: Luke Kornet
- C, #88: Neemias Queta (2-way participant)
Accidents
None
Boston Celtics Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla
Possible 76ers Starters
Celtics Starters
- PG, #0 : Tyrese Maxey
- SG, #17: Buddy Hield
- SF, #12: Tobias Harris
- PF, #40: Nicolas Batum
- C: #44: Paul Reed
76ers Reserves
- G, #7: Kyle Lowry
- G, #22: Cameron Payne
- G, #8: De’Anthony Melton
- G, #9: Kelly Oubre Jr.
- F, #16: Ricky Council (2-way participant)
- F, #23: Terquavion Smith (2-way participant)
- F #1: KJ Martin
- F, #33: Robert Covington
- F, #25: Darius Bazley
- F, #35: Kenneth Lofton (2-way participant)
- C, #21: Joel Embiid
- C, #5: Mo Bamba
Accidents
- KJ Martin: Day-to-day (proper ankle)
- Joel Embiid: OUT (Knee)
- Robert Covington: OUT (Knee)
Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach
Nick Nurse
Keys for a Cs win
House court docket benefit: I really feel like I sound like a damaged file each time I write a preview. The Celtics personal a league finest 26-3 file at residence, they usually now head right into a three-game homestand. The C’s have been rather more environment friendly in entrance of their residence followers, and the numbers converse for themselves.
In 29 video games on the Backyard, the Celtics common 122.6 factors, 26.2 assists, 47.8 rebounds, 6.4 steals, and 6.1 blocks, on 48.9 discipline objective capturing. As well as, Mazzulla’s squad shoots almost 40 % from three, together with 4 proportion factors greater from the free-throw line. In a single residence sport towards Philadelphia, Boston completed the evening capturing 48.5 % from deep.
Measurement benefit: It’s no secret the 76ers are hurting with out their star middle Joel Embiid. With Robert Covington out for tonight’s matchup, Philadelphia is much more skinny on the entrance court docket. Contemplating the accidents, Paul Reed has been their beginning middle, and is listed at 6’9. Whereas Reed has 5 blocks of their final two video games, he’ll have a tricky matchup towards Kristaps Porzingis. So long as they’re with out Embiid, they are going to lack firepower to cease the Celtics within the paint.
Rebounding: Probably the most essential elements of the sport, the Celtics should win the rebounding battle tonight. The highest workforce in rebounding this season (46.9), Boston will face the 76ers who seize solely 43.2 boards per sport. One space the C’s have struggled on this season is the battle with offensive boards, the place they permit opponents to seize 11.3 per sport. Though the Celtics got here away with the 116-102 victory over New York, they allowed the Knicks to dominate on the offensive boards and second likelihood factors.
Throughout three video games, the 76ers have maintained a +1.6 rebounding benefit over the Celtics. It’s essential to safe rebounds and capitalize on Embiid’s absence. For the Celtics, they should deal with controlling the boards, particularly contemplating Philadelphia’s top-eight rating in second likelihood factors per sport.
Don’t let this be a entice sport: Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey made a number of acquisitions and trades through the deadline, transport away Patrick Beverly, Marcus Morris Sr., Furkan Korkmaz. Because the commerce deadline, the Celtics have but to come across this freshly assembled lineup that includes Kyle Lowry coming off the bench and Hield beginning.
Boston could encounter a entice sport state of affairs with eight consecutive matches, regardless of the 76ers’ challenges. This isn’t the second to let up; in a prime-time conflict, Philadelphia will undoubtedly compete fiercely till the top. It’s essential to take care of most effort till the ultimate moments.
Protection: In an period the place defensive efforts seem missing, it’s essential to acknowledge that stable protection outright secures victories. Having held opponents to a mere 103.2 factors of their final 5 matchups, Mazzulla persistently prioritizes protection at each alternative. Sport after sport, the Celtics discover their handiest offensive possessions originating from defensive reads and stops. This turns into paramount, given Boston’s standing as a high three workforce in defensive effectivity. Contemplating the 76ers’ offensive struggles, this sport presents a probably advantageous matchup for Boston on the defensive finish.
Gamers to observe:
Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers):
Let’s be trustworthy, Tyrese Maxey is evolving right into a famous person, thriving within the absence of Joel Embiid on the court docket. Within the two matchups towards Boston this season, the purpose guard has averaged 22.2 factors, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, capturing at a 40.5 % discipline objective price. He’s delivering his most spectacular efficiency stats-wise in February, with averages of 26.4 factors, 2.7 steals, 5.6 assists, and 4.4 rebounds, capturing at 40.3 % from past the arc.
With a season common of 25.8 factors, containing Tyrese Maxey is undoubtedly a frightening process. Paired with a formidable backcourt that includes Derrick White and Jrue Vacation, it will likely be intriguing to see how they’ll restrict a participant who has contributed to 24 % of the workforce’s offense this month.
Kristaps Porzingis (Celtics):
Kristaps Porzingis made his sole look towards Philadelphia in only one sport, but his impression was vital, scoring 29 factors, blocking 1 shot, shelling out 3 assists, and grabbing 6 rebounds. With Embiid absent, Porzingis is poised to capitalize on offensive alternatives by stretching the ground. Following his robust 22-point show towards the Knicks, he’s anticipated to play a pivotal function in rebounding and defending the rim tonight.
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