Tatum and the Celtics take on Philadelphia with 2-0 series lead
Boston Celtics (48-24, third in the Eastern Conference during the regular season) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (43-30, sixth in the Eastern Conference during the regular season)
Lake Buena Vista, Florida; Friday, 6:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Celtics -5; over/under is 216
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Boston leads series 2-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Celtics take on the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference first round with a 2-0 lead in the series. The Celtics won the previous meeting 128-101. Jayson Tatum scored 33 points to lead Boston to the win and Joel Embiid totaled 34 points in the loss for Philadelphia.
The 76ers are 28-18 in conference matchups. Philadelphia is sixth in the Eastern Conference with 35 defensive rebounds per game led by Embiid averaging 8.9.
The Celtics are 30-13 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston is 29-8 against opponents under .500.
TOP PERFORMERS: Embiid is averaging 23 points and 11.6 rebounds for the 76ers. Tobias Harris is averaging 18 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 40.8% over the last 10 games for Philadelphia.
Tatum leads the Celtics averaging 23.4 points and has added 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Jaylen Brown is averaging 18.6 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 40.1% over the last 10 games for Boston.
LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 4-6, averaging 116.3 points, 45.1 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 6.2 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.8 points on 46.8% shooting.
Celtics: 7-3, averaging 118.8 points, 46.1 rebounds, 23.8 assists, 8.2 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.4 points on 43.6% shooting.
INJURIES: 76ers: Glenn Robinson III: out (oblique), Ben Simmons: out for season (knee).
Celtics: Gordon Hayward: out (ankle).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by , and data from ,.
-
2024 NBA Play-In Tournament: Bracket, schedule, scores, standings, rules
2024 NBA playoff bracket, picture: Updated Schedule, scores
NBA Playoffs bold predictions: Clippers, Knicks headed for first-round upsets?
-
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
Eddie House pushes back on LeBron James' comments about 2011 Heat role players
2024 NBA Awards: Staff picks for MVP, Rookie of the Year and more
-
Kawhi Leonard reportedly lands final spot on USA hoops roster for 2024 Olympics
Lakers upset Pelicans for No. 7 seed, will play Nuggets in first round of NBA Playoffs
2024 NBA MVP odds, race: Nikola Jokic heavily favored to win third MVP
-
2024 NBA Play-In Tournament: Bracket, schedule, scores, standings, rules
2024 NBA playoff bracket, picture: Updated Schedule, scores
NBA Playoffs bold predictions: Clippers, Knicks headed for first-round upsets?
-
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
Eddie House pushes back on LeBron James' comments about 2011 Heat role players
2024 NBA Awards: Staff picks for MVP, Rookie of the Year and more
-
Kawhi Leonard reportedly lands final spot on USA hoops roster for 2024 Olympics
Lakers upset Pelicans for No. 7 seed, will play Nuggets in first round of NBA Playoffs
2024 NBA MVP odds, race: Nikola Jokic heavily favored to win third MVP