Boston Celtics: Power ranking C’s 5 most realistic first-round matchups
By Mark Nilon
No. 4) Philadelphia 76ers
All throughout the season, we’ve discussed how troublesome the Philadephia 76ers have proven to be for the Boston Celtics. In fact, we’ve gone as far as to say Cs fans should indefinitely be rooting against the Sixers come the eight seeding games that will take place prior to the start of the postseason, in hopes that Boston won’t have to square off against them in round one.
Sure, if they do wind up playing Philadelphia in the first-round we do strongly believe Beantown has enough firepower to win in a seven-game series. However, by no means would this feat be easy to accomplish.
As we previously brushed upon, the 76ers have given the Boston Celtics trouble all throughout the 2019-20 campaign. Winning the season series three games to one, Philly managed to best the team in multiple important statistical categories, including rebounding (205 vs 154), blocks (23 vs 12), and scoring efficiency (Philly shot 45 percent from the field & 33 percent from deep while Cs shot 43 percent & 32 percent from 3).
One of the main fears heading into this season for Boston pertained to their depleted frontcourt rotation and, more notably, their lackluster size down low. For the most part, throughout the year this hasn’t proven to be as big of a problem for the team as we originally had thought… except for when facing Philadelphia.
Rolling out a starting lineup oft consisting of no players under 6-5, two players (including their point guard) in the 6-10 range and a legitimate seven-footer in Joel Embiid, the towering Sixers have given the Celtics’ roster (average height being around 6-5) a real run for their money.
As we’ve suggested in recent publications, a team built like Philadelphia could be truly dangerous come the resumption of NBA action, as players will likely gear more towards a back to the basket/ physically dominating style of play — something they tend to excel at.
Should they be Boston’s first opponent, it would likely turn out to be a long and grueling series for the Cs.