PLAYOFFS: Rnd 2, Gm 1 – Sixers (0) @ Celtics (0) – 7:30PM, Mon, May 1, 2023

[Jacobkowal]

What a great time to be a Boston Celtics fan!
Lets win this thing!

[Smart2Nesmith43]

In the regular season, Boston gave up 13+ offensive board in every game against the Hawks. They gave up 8 or less in every game against the Sixers. This matches up well with both teams season profile: Atlanta was 8th in OREB% and Philadelphia was 26th. Looking at a larger sample size, the Celtics were also number one in the league in DREB% in the regular season. It would be surprising to see the Celtics continue to struggle on the glass. In fact with a healthy Timelord they have a good chance of winning the battle on the boards.

Boston turned the ball over slightly less than Philly but also forced fewer so nobody seems to have an edge there. From three, the Sixers actually shot a higher percentage and led the league in that category but they took 10 fewer attempts per game and the Celtics shooters have a better track record in the postseason so the edge is probably in favor of Boston.

Unsurprisingly, the Sixers were number one in free throw rate but the Celtics were really good at not fouling (third best in the league). This is the Sixers biggest asset so finding a way to neutralize that should probably be the priority.

[Homerclease]

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[meatball sub]

Mind games. I’ll believe it when he doesn’t actually suit up for game 1

[Froob]

I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t play at all. Big guy with a history of injuries, not sure you want to push him to play injured.

[Homerclease]

I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t play at all. Big guy with a history of injuries, not sure you want to push him to play injured.

If he plays, he’s going to be nowhere near 100%. Harden is going to have to turn back time if the Sixers are going to win this series

[London2Boston]

I don’t buy it. He might not play full minutes, but he will be out there.

[Feed Your Head]

I think people are being silly with the “mind games” stuff. The Sixers obviously believe they can lose game 1 and still win the series, but if they bring back Embiid too soon and he aggravates it? They have no chance.

[CelticsPride18]

Just put Embiid in every action. That fat loser will be done by game 3

[Celts17Pride]

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Honestly, I don't believe any words that come out of Doc Rivers mouth.

[steefP2]

I think people are being silly with the “mind games” stuff. The Sixers obviously believe they can lose game 1 and still win the series, but if they bring back Embiid too soon and he aggravates it? They have no chance.

And LCL sprains are kinda easy to further injure or re injure when you play before it’s fully healed since it’s all about lateral movements.

That’s in theory what the brace is for but if he hasn’t been able to anything in terms of running etc it’s actively dangerous to just throw him in a playoff game. That’s how you tear stuff.

They’ll want to at least have him do 1 practice imo

[GoCeltics123]

I think people are being silly with the “mind games” stuff. The Sixers obviously believe they can lose game 1 and still win the series, but if they bring back Embiid too soon and he aggravates it? They have no chance.

And LCL sprains are kinda easy to further injure or re injure when you play before it’s fully healed since it’s all about lateral movements.

That’s in theory what the brace is for but if he hasn’t been able to anything in terms of running etc it’s actively dangerous to just throw him in a playoff game. That’s how you tear stuff.

They’ll want to at least have him do 1 practice imo

I'd be surprised if Embiid doesn't play Game 1, my guess is he practices tomorrow. If he misses Game 1, that's all he'll miss imo (unless the Celtics poop the bed and lose).

[ConstableGeneva]

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[Feed Your Head]

I think people are being silly with the “mind games” stuff. The Sixers obviously believe they can lose game 1 and still win the series, but if they bring back Embiid too soon and he aggravates it? They have no chance.

And LCL sprains are kinda easy to further injure or re injure when you play before it’s fully healed since it’s all about lateral movements.

That’s in theory what the brace is for but if he hasn’t been able to anything in terms of running etc it’s actively dangerous to just throw him in a playoff game. That’s how you tear stuff.

They’ll want to at least have him do 1 practice imo

I'd be surprised if Embiid doesn't play Game 1, my guess is he practices tomorrow. If he misses Game 1, that's all he'll miss imo (unless the Celtics poop the bed and lose).

I’d be shocked if he plays in game 1.

[steefP2]

To my earlier point: Rivers said Embiid has to get on the floor and do things before the Sixers can say he’s close to a return. They had hope for Saturday, but nothing happened.

“He has to get better,” Rivers said of what has to happen for Embiid to return. “He has to be on the floor. He did nothing. Today, nothing yet. Just wasn’t able to and obviously, we were hopeful for today, yeah.”


https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/29/doc-rivers-provides-grim-update-on-joel-embiid-ahead-of-game-1-vs-celtics/

[jordb2k7]

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Significant if true but I’m inclined to believe it. If he hasn’t been able to do anything for a week that’s already not promising for a guy who struggles with gassing out.

[GoCeltics123]

And LCL sprains are kinda easy to further injure or re injure when you play before it’s fully healed since it’s all about lateral movements.

That’s in theory what the brace is for but if he hasn’t been able to anything in terms of running etc it’s actively dangerous to just throw him in a playoff game. That’s how you tear stuff.

They’ll want to at least have him do 1 practice imo

I'd be surprised if Embiid doesn't play Game 1, my guess is he practices tomorrow. If he misses Game 1, that's all he'll miss imo (unless the Celtics poop the bed and lose).

I’d be shocked if he plays in game 1.

I think he'll only miss one at most though if he does. Dumas is a questionable reporter, so I don't put a lot of stock in what he says.

After Game 5, it's hard to trust this team when other teams are missing guys though (although Embiid and Murray are a huge difference). But obviously, regardless of when he plays, Embiid is not 100%.

[bisme37]

If Joel can't play it makes up for the Celts missing Gallinari. Fair is fair.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

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Fox and Giannis were also doubtful for a game and they both played. Just not buying what Rivers is saying.

[Celts17Pride]

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Fox and Giannis were also doubtful for a game and they both played. Just not buying what Rivers is saying.

Embiid might not play but I still don’t believe any words that come out of Doc Rivers mouth