The Philadelphia 76ers are set to face off against Eastern Conference rivals, the Boston Celtics, at home tonight. The game is the second of the Sixers’ back-to-back after the team narrowly fell to the Indiana Pacers at home last night.
Sixers vs. Celtics Betting Info
Spread: Sixers +3.5 | Celtics -3.5
Moneyline: Sixers +142 | Celtics -170
Total: 224.5
Sixers vs. Celtics Game Info
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 15th, 2023; 7:30 PM EST
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia PA
Channel: ESPN
Sixers/Pacers Injury Report
Sixers: OUT: Kelly Oubre Jr. (fractured rib). Otherwise, it has not yet been submitted.
Celtics: QUESTIONABLE: Kristaps Porzingis (R. knee); Neemias Quetas (R. foot)
Probable Starting Lineups
Philadelphia 76ers: Tyrese Maxey, De’Anthony Melton, Robert Covington, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid
Boston Celtics: Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and either Kristaps Porzingis or Al Horford
Sixers vs. Celtics Game Preview
Last night’s loss against the Pacers snapped the Sixers’ league-best eight-game win streak to bring the team to 8-2 on the young season. The Celtics also sit at 8-2, and while the Sixers beat Boston in their first matchup of the year, some notable injuries have plagued both teams in the meantime.
Kelly Oubre Jr. remains out after he was struck by a vehicle over the weekend, and Nic Batum’s injury status remains unclear after he did not play last night. Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis – whose grazed three-point attempt in the final seconds of the teams’ last matchup led to Philadelphia’s victory – is questionable with a right knee contusion.
The Sixers have been exceptionally productive on offense thus far in the season. Tyrese Maxey’s explosive speed and athleticism have served him well as he takes over the point guard reins left behind by James Harden. Joel Embiid has continued to show why he’s the reigning MVP, averaging a whopping 33.1 points per game through the first ten matchups. Even Tobias Harris has looked solid as a slasher, putting up no fewer than 15 points in any game thus far despite shooting just 23% from three.
The team is third in the league in points per game (121.2) and fourth in field goal percentage (48.7%). Maxey – who was once considered to be a player struggling to shoot from deep – currently ranks ninth in the league in three-pointers made, ahead of guys like Fred VanVleet, Kyrie Irving, and Boston’s own Jaylen Brown.
But as last night’s game showed, the Sixers have work to do to improve their defensive game, particularly in transition. While the Sixers rank fourth in blocks per game (6.6) and eighth in steals per game (8.5), the team is a whopping 22nd in defensive rating. Perhaps more concerningly, the team is allowing 16.3 opponent points per game on a fastbreak, a dismal 24th in the league.
To new coach Nick Nurse’s credit, the Sixers do look better getting back in transition quickly than they have in a while, as the team has struggled with this for years. But with a team that shoots – and makes – three-pointers as often as Boston does, the Sixers have no room for sloppy defense.
That said, Boston is not without weaknesses. While the Celtics tout a league-best 48.2 rebounds per game, most of those boards are defensive; the team is 15th in offensive rebounds per game. Leading man Jayson Tatum has been a strong rebounder this season, but the Sixers have the height advantage in Joel Embiid – especially if Porzingis is limited due to injury.
Even if Porzingis does play, his blocking ability often hides the fact that he’s largely not a great defender in the post – something Joel Embiid is primed to take advantage of. What’s more, the Sixers’ dramatic improvements in off-ball movement have largely made it difficult for opposing teams to figure out who is where and defend accordingly.
If the Sixers can limit turnovers and continue their streak of strong, dynamic offensive drives, they have a nice chance to overwhelm Celtics and win this game. But Boston’s elite lineup excels at both making deep shots and snagging the ball back when they miss. The Sixers must prepare accordingly to take on their Eastern Conference rival.
