ECSF: P1 | (2) Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers (3) | BOS 1-0

[Hipster Doofus]

Is smart going to be let loose on Simmons? I don't think the kid with no jump shot is ready for that.

"Let loose", like a dog. lol.

I guess we shall see what Ben does to Boston.

[Rapaz]

Ben Simmons in drag or Ben's twin sister?

Spoiler:

[bisme37]

Guess I'll give my thoughts on the series...

On paper Philly should win this on account of 60% of their payroll isn't injured. But the folks who think it will be a cake walk have either never watched Boston play or are just being willfully trollish. Celtics have been declared dead multiple times but they just don't die. It's going to be a tough and exciting back and forth series.

I see Philly going up 3-2 heading home for game 6 and a ton of posts saying the series is over. But then the Celtics come back to win the last two games and take it in 7. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[bisme37]

Ben Simmons in drag or Ben's twin sister?

Spoiler:

Whoa the one with hair looks like a member of Bone Thugs.

[DK-All Day]

If the Sixers are as good as their fans hype them up to be, this should be a sweep. The Celtics with Hayward and Kyrie would sweep a Sixers team without Embiid and Simmons.

It would be an embarrassment of epic proportions if the team with two “generational” talents couldn’t dispatch the hobbled Celtics in 5 games or less.

Let’s see what happens...

[hookshot199]

You didn't watch any of the games. Horford is not a good match up for Embiid

If you think games in October are applicable to this series, you're delusional.

Two entirely different teams.

I'm talking about one specific match up. It's not delusional at all to think that one of the best defensive big men in the league is a tough match up for Embiid.

I'm sure Embiid will get his. But I'm also sure that one of the defensive teams all year will be able to game plan

A year ago, Horford struggled in 30% of playoff games against two journey centers - Robin Lopez and Marcin Gortat, neither of whom is as strong, big or skilled as Embiid. Embiid require a lot of help defense, which the Celtics are very good at. I have no doubt that you will force him into making turnovers and drawing an occasional offensive foul. But when you double-team him, a) he's a good passer and b) the Sixers are not the same team they were back in October, November and January. We've got shooters off the bench and, whatever comparisons you wish to make between Simmons and Giannis, Simmons is a better ball-handler and passer. We have better passers throughout the lineup than Milwaukee.






http://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/3213/year/2017/al-horford

http://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/2758/year/2017/marcin-gortat

http://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/3447/year/2017/robin-lopez

[BNelley24]

As 6ers fan I am very worried about this series. I worry about Marco, Dario, & JJ being out worked on the perimeter. If we were playing the Bucks I’d go 6ers in 4 or 5. Against Celtics without home-court this is going to be a tough one. We saw Olynck play very well last series. It will be curious how we go about stopping Horford. Gun to my head I’d go Celtics in 7. If we do lose it will be a huge disappointment, but as time goes by and the season is put into perspective it would still go down as a successful year. Before the season started if you asked most 6ers fans what their expectations were most would say just making the playoffs would go down as a success. To win 50+, lock up 3 seed, and win a round in playoffs in the first true season with all our pieces healthy (minus Fultz unfortunately) I’d say is a success.

All this being said I sure as hell would be po’ed if we lose this series. Really need to at least split the first 2 games.

[KHRICH]

Boston has the bodies and wings to throw at Simmons, ill say Boston in 7.

So did Miami. And Simmons averaged a triple double for the series.

[Hipster Doofus]

Boston has the bodies and wings to throw at Simmons, ill say Boston in 7.

So did Miami. And Simmons averaged a triple double for the series.

I know, hard to argue with facts.

[dukes_wild]

Sixers in 6

Rooting for the Celtics though.

[Hipster Doofus]

If the Sixers are as good as their fans hype them up to be, this should be a sweep. The Celtics with Hayward and Kyrie would sweep a Sixers team without Embiid and Simmons.

It would be an embarrassment of epic proportions if the team with two “generational” talents couldn’t dispatch the hobbled Celtics in 5 games or less.

Let’s see what happens...

It's a good strategy to keep the expectations low.

As far as the two "generational" talents, one is a rookie and the other is in his second season. I don't think anyone was expecting LeBron to win it all with the Cavs as a rookie or a second year player back in 2004. Or Steph to win it all with the Warriors back in 2009 or 2010.

Things take time. However, the two "generational" talents are way ahead of the curve.

People were taking bets in the beginning of the season on whether the Sixers would even make the playoffs, let alone be a third seed looking to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. I haven't seen much of those people lately.

[MR28]

Sixers in 6

Rooting for the Celtics though.

[dukes_wild]

Sixers in 6

Rooting for the Celtics though.

Sorry fam I actually like the Sixers more but if the Raptors get to the ECF I'd much rather the Celtics than the Sixers

[Mister Ze]

I think Smart and Rozier will do a good job on Simmons while Brown/Tatum/Ojele will do a good job on the perimeter shooters.

The KEY matchup is Embiid and Horford. If Embiid doesn't have resistance this series is over within 5, otherwise it could go to 6-7

[sfernald]

How did Jaylen’s MRI come out today?

[jfs1000d]

If you think games in October are applicable to this series, you're delusional.

Two entirely different teams.

I'm talking about one specific match up. It's not delusional at all to think that one of the best defensive big men in the league is a tough match up for Embiid.

I'm sure Embiid will get his. But I'm also sure that one of the defensive teams all year will be able to game plan

A year ago, Horford struggled in 30% of playoff games against two journey centers - Robin Lopez and Marcin Gortat, neither of whom is as strong, big or skilled as Embiid. Embiid require a lot of help defense, which the Celtics are very good at. I have no doubt that you will force him into making turnovers and drawing an occasional offensive foul. But when you double-team him, a) he's a good passer and b) the Sixers are not the same team they were back in October, November and January. We've got shooters off the bench and, whatever comparisons you wish to make between Simmons and Giannis, Simmons is a better ball-handler and passer. We have better passers throughout the lineup than Milwaukee.






http://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/3213/year/2017/al-horford

http://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/2758/year/2017/marcin-gortat

http://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/3447/year/2017/robin-lopez

Celts are going to go Baynes on Embiid with Monroe and Horford also.

Horford will play the PF, and maybe even Simmons.

If 76ers hitting 3s, they will be tough.

I am interested to see how Stevens devised a defense win Simmons. Heat have a fraction of the talent than even this depleted Celtics team.


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[PierceFan4ever]

If the Sixers are as good as their fans hype them up to be, this should be a sweep. The Celtics with Hayward and Kyrie would sweep a Sixers team without Embiid and Simmons.

It would be an embarrassment of epic proportions if the team with two “generational” talents couldn’t dispatch the hobbled Celtics in 5 games or less.

Let’s see what happens...

This. It would be extremely embarrassing if they lose to the Celtics. I made a bias prediction in favor of the Celtics but Philly with their talent and being healthy should beat the Celtics. If I see this series going 6 or more then you can forget about the Sixers challenging the Celtics in the next 2 years minimum unless Lebron joins because the Celtics would do a number on the Sixers if they aren’t injured next season. If Embiid is the next Kareem and Simmons is the next Magic and Saric being only a little worse than Hayward and Covington being better than both Tatum and Brown then the Sixers should sweep the Celtics if the hype is that big.

[JAYZGOAT]

If the Sixers are as good as their fans hype them up to be, this should be a sweep. The Celtics with Hayward and Kyrie would sweep a Sixers team without Embiid and Simmons.

It would be an embarrassment of epic proportions if the team with two “generational” talents couldn’t dispatch the hobbled Celtics in 5 games or less.

Let’s see what happens...

This. It would be extremely embarrassing if they lose to the Celtics. I made a bias prediction in favor of the Celtics but Philly with their talent and being healthy should beat the Celtics. If I see this series going 6 or more then you can forget about the Sixers challenging the Celtics in the next 2 years minimum unless Lebron joins because the Celtics would do a number on the Sixers if they aren’t injured next season. If Embiid is the next Kareem and Simmons is the next Magic and Saric being only a little worse than Hayward and Covington being better than both Tatum and Brown then the Sixers should sweep the Celtics if the hype is that big.

Lol. This is the angle that Celtics fans are taking? Pathetic and sad. If you're expecting to lose I don't want to read any trash talk towards this 76ers and their fans. Series hasn't even started and you guys don't believe in your team. Let me guess, when the Sixers win the new argument will be, "but they didn't beat us in 4-5 games" Lmao, doubt Sixers fans care how they beat you, they're not even supposed to be here. Sixers are the team playing with house money and nothing to lose. They are far ahead of schedule

[jfs1000d]

The Celtics are actually the younger team. Boston starts two rookies and four players in rookie contracts.

This comes down to rozier. If he is consistent, then Celtics have a chance in 6 or 7.

If he struggles scoring, Boston doesn’t have enough in reserve.

Also, if the 76ers can’t beat Boston right now, with no Hayward and Kyrie, when the hell will they ever beat them?


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[Johnny Tomala]

76ers in 6, Celtics won't score enough with Hayward and Irving injured to win this series.