Preview: Sixers Last Chance to Beat the Celtics Before Playoffs
With four games remaining during the regular season for the 76ers, a huge final matchup tonight is on deck with a division rival and possible opponent later in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The 76ers lace up their sneakers tonight as they return home with a 51-27 record. In their last game out, they lost to the Bucks in Milwaukee. Philadelphia will look to have a different result in the confines of The Center in front of their home fans where they have a 28-11 record with two games left on the home floor. The third-seed 76ers will host the second-seed Boston Celtics for the final matchup of the regular season with the Sixers looking for the first win of the campaign after the Celtics have won all three of the earlier meetings.
Here are a few key things why this game is important tonight:
- Let’s get back to the psychological part of the game. The Sixers have lost to the Celts two times in the postseason during the Joel Embiid era, and as mentioned earlier, lost the three games played this season. This could be a mental hurdle for the 76ers if they were to be swept by this team this campaign, should they face off in the semifinals of the playoffs in a few weeks. It is very important to collect the win tonight to at least help them believe they can defeat last season’s Eastern Conference representative in the NBA Finals.
- James Harden, who has dealt with achilles soreness over the last few weeks, has had one good game since returning to the lineup after missing four games. That game was last Friday at home in a 117-110 win over the Toronto Raptors as the veteran point guard posted 23 points and 11 assists. Philadelphia is going to need more of this type of production tonight.
- Boston’s role players and/or bench have had a lot of success versus the 76ers this season. Malcolm Brogdon, Grant Williams, Derrick White, and even Blake Griffin. The Sixers must limit the damage by those players, matching their production or simply outplaying them where the conversation is different by games end with similar players on Philadelphia’s side having a similar impact.
A big game in South Philadelphia tonight with a lot riding on the outcome for present and future implications.