Boston Celtics: 3 keys to game-one victory today over Philadelphia

By Mark Nilon | Aug 17, 2020

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 12: Enes Kanter #11 of the Boston Celtics fouls Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on December 12, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The 76ers defeat the Celtics 115-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3 of 4

Boston Celtics (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Celtics Key No. 2) Contain Joel Embiid

One cannot simply stop him, they can only try and contain him. For the Boston Celtics, containing Joel Embiid should be priority number one in order to attain their first victory in this seven-game series.

Despite the relative disappointment that was the 2019-20 season for the Philadelphia 76ers, their centerpiece Embiid still managed to have himself quite a nice campaign. Through 51 games, the big man put up impressive averages of 23 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game on 48 percent shooting from the floor and 33 percent shooting from deep.

Particularly against the Cs, the sixth-year veteran has seemed to have his way as well, putting up 21.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and two blocks a game. With him in the lineup, while going against Beantown, Philly managed to win two of his three matchups against them, and both wins were decided by a double-digit margin.

With the fact that Ben Simmons is currently out for an indefinite period of time after having surgery on his knee to remove a loose body, the 76ers are certainly far from 100% intact. What this likely means is there will be an uptick in touches for the 3x All-Star.

Defensively, the Boston Celtics need to seriously hone in on slowing down Embiid before he has a chance to take over against their vertically-challenged center rotation.

Home/Celtics News