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

[Asian Celtic]

Not trying to rip on the Celtics, they're a high quality team even missing key players and would've likely made the finals and given GSW/HOU a tough series with their full roster. But as these teams stand going into this series, I just don't see Philly losing this unless they completely implode or choke badly.

We have a 50 game sample size of them since Christmas playing like the best team in the league. Not that they ARE the best (they certainly aren't better than a 100% GSW), but by the numbers their regular season performance in that span was up there with anyone, and nothing in their series against Miami has me second guessing their ability.

Just gonna say as others said. The playoffs are a different animal. I honestly don't know if Philly players have a "switch" as we don't have a good amount of data yet but that RS info is scary.

[Prez]

Not trying to rip on the Celtics, they're a high quality team even missing key players and would've likely made the finals and given GSW/HOU a tough series with their full roster. But as these teams stand going into this series, I just don't see Philly losing this unless they completely implode or choke badly.

We have a 50 game sample size of them since Christmas playing like the best team in the league. Not that they ARE the best (they certainly aren't better than a 100% GSW), but by the numbers their regular season performance in that span was up there with anyone, and nothing in their series against Miami has me second guessing their ability.

Just gonna say as others said. The playoffs are a different animal. I honestly don't know if Philly players have a "switch" as we don't have a good amount of data yet but that RS info is scary.

Yep, which is why this is by far the most interesting series of the 2nd round for me personally. I could totally see role players like Roco, Ersan, Marco, JJ going cold/crumbling offensively against a physical, brilliantly coached defense, which would make Philly far more manageable. But I also think Embiid is the type of overwhelming talent who can single handedly flip that switch for his team. To a lesser extent Simmons as well.

[HeartBreakKid]

I'm quite worried about Embiid - the Celtics historically have gotten killed on glass, and it probably won't be different when Embiid is on the floor. I wouldn't be surprised if Horford got into foul trouble as well.

[Fencer reregistered]

Not sure what number 37 is suppose to do.

Keep Simmons away from the basket, just as he did to Giannis.

Of course, Simmons can pass out of that a lot more effectively than Giannis did, so I'm not at all sure that's the right matchup for the Cs to go to. But if they do, then surely that's the idea behind the move.

[Sleep]

The Sixers are a good team, and I picked them to win the series easily. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. A healthy Celtics team would mop the floor with them.

The Sixers are playing a team missing their 2 best players. Sixers fans need to imagine their own roster without Simmons and Embiid.

Weren't they playing without Embiid down the stretch of the season and took one off Miami without him? Philadelphia are probably on as good a roll as anyone not called the Warriors right now. I think they take care of business in five or six at worst. Too many match up problems for the Celtics who will really have to slow them down because they won't have the points in them to keep up.

[Fencer reregistered]

The Cs have four good offensive players, and one of them is hurt: Horford, Tatum, Rozier and Brown. I include them and not Morris because those 4 have had good offensive games in the current playoffs playing within the main offensive system. Morris, by way of contrast, is a hit-or-miss iso scorer of some talent.

Everybody else is basically a guy who consistently recognizes and inconsistently executes the right offensive thing: hit an open shot, make the right pass, or use a path to the rim.

[xfactor]

Sixers in 6

[tonyreyes123]

Lol I’ve been playing my guy with this matchup in 2k for money and I’ve been kicking his ass. 76ers are just too talented...


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[Madhouse]

The Sixers are a good team, and I picked them to win the series easily. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. A healthy Celtics team would mop the floor with them.

The Sixers are playing a team missing their 2 best players. Sixers fans need to imagine their own roster without Simmons and Embiid.

How do you know? Hayward played 5 minutes so far could have stunted the growth for Brown and Tatum. Kyrie is a big loss not denying that. 76ers won 19 of their last 20 games by an average of 14 points.

[Raps in 4]

The Sixers are a good team, and I picked them to win the series easily. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. A healthy Celtics team would mop the floor with them.

The Sixers are playing a team missing their 2 best players. Sixers fans need to imagine their own roster without Simmons and Embiid.

Weren't they playing without Embiid down the stretch of the season and took one off Miami without him? Philadelphia are probably on as good a roll as anyone not called the Warriors right now. I think they take care of business in five or six at worst. Too many match up problems for the Celtics who will really have to slow them down because they won't have the points in them to keep up.

They were without Embiid, not Embiid and Simmons.

Celtics are without Irving and Hayward.

[NBARocks]

If Boston defeats Philly, Stevens has to win COTY.

[Spanish_Laker]

Celtics in 7.

[LordCovington33]

The Sixers are a good team, and I picked them to win the series easily. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. A healthy Celtics team would mop the floor with them.

The Sixers are playing a team missing their 2 best players. Sixers fans need to imagine their own roster without Simmons and Embiid.

How do you know? Hayward played 5 minutes so far could have stunted the growth for Brown and Tatum. Kyrie is a big loss not denying that. 76ers won 19 of their last 20 games by an average of 14 points.

A point worth mentioning, if you want to field a healthy roster, don't trade for players who are already injured. Hayward is unfortunate, but Kyrie has had knee problems his whole career. They got him cheap for good reason, so they cannot complain when he checks out for season-ending surgery.

[Raps in 4]

The Sixers are a good team, and I picked them to win the series easily. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. A healthy Celtics team would mop the floor with them.

The Sixers are playing a team missing their 2 best players. Sixers fans need to imagine their own roster without Simmons and Embiid.

How do you know? Hayward played 5 minutes so far could have stunted the growth for Brown and Tatum. Kyrie is a big loss not denying that. 76ers won 19 of their last 20 games by an average of 14 points.

How do I know? Hayward was a 4.0 VORP, 10.4 WS, 3.06 RPM player last year.

Tatum and Brown haven't come anywhere close to that level of production.

Hayard + Irving are better than Simmons + Embiid. Boston supporting cast is better than Philly supporting cast. Could Simmons and Embiid overtake Hayward and Irving in the future? Sure. I even expect them to. But they're not better right now.

[baldur]

i am leaning towards the celtics. 4-2 or 4-3 i guess. i dont have any arguments to support this i just feel like. maybe im favouring home court advantage and brad stevens.

[CoreyGallagher]

If Boston defeats Philly, Stevens has to win COTY.

Voting for regular season awards is over, you can view who most of the media members voted for already. They were allowed to publish them.

[Trugger]

The Sixers are a good team, and I picked them to win the series easily. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. A healthy Celtics team would mop the floor with them.

The Sixers are playing a team missing their 2 best players. Sixers fans need to imagine their own roster without Simmons and Embiid.

How do you know? Hayward played 5 minutes so far could have stunted the growth for Brown and Tatum. Kyrie is a big loss not denying that. 76ers won 19 of their last 20 games by an average of 14 points.

How do I know? Hayward was a 4.0 VORP, 10.4 WS, 3.06 RPM player last year.

Tatum and Brown haven't come anywhere close to that level of production.

Hayard + Irving are better than Simmons + Embiid. Boston supporting cast is better than Philly supporting cast. Could Simmons and Embiid overtake Hayward and Irving in the future? Sure. I even expect them to. But they're not better right now.

Well , actually they are better right now ,, Simmons and Embiid are on the court and helping their team win ,,, I’d say that’s a lot better !!

[KingCurry]

the real battle will be between Massholes and fans from the City of Brotherly Hate

[TheNewEra]

I would hope Fultz has been practicing hard and watching tape to prepare for the series. With his defensive skill shown and ability to get his teammates good looks it would help a lot if he could put pressure on Rozier or at least maintain against Larkin. I’m aware he is 19and all just saying

[itrsteve]

Tough to see the Celtics taking this one. If anything, I'm excited that they get at least 4 more games for next year's bench to get some quality playoff minutes.