Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs Game Tonight: Celtics vs 76ers Injury Report, Starting Lineup, Predictions, TV Channel for May 1
The Boston Celtics are onto the Eastern Conference semifinals and a date with the Philadelphia 76ers — who the Cs last swept in the opening round of the 2020 bubble postseason down in Disney World.
Depending on the health of Sixers superstar Joel Embiid, Boston may have a similarly seamless second-round series three years later. For the opening game of the series without Embiid, the Celtics are sizeable favorites at the spread.
Will Joe Mazzulla’s men do what the sportsbooks are expecting or will Philadelphia shock the world with a massive Game 1 upset?
93. TNT. Monday, May 1. 57-25. 7:30 PM ET. 18. Celtics -9. 54-28
Philadelphia 76ers: 3rd (ORtg), 8th (DRtg), 27th (Pace), 3rd (NRtg)
Boston Celtics: 2nd (ORtg), 2nd (DRtg), 20th (Pace), 1st (NRtg)
Boston Celtics Projected Starting Lineup
PG –Marcus Smart, SG – Derrick White, SF – Jaylen Brown, PF – Jayson Tatum, C – Al Horford
Philadelphia 76ers Projected Starting Lineup
PG – James Harden, SG – Tyrese Maxey, SF – Tobias Harris, PF – P.J. Tucker, C – Paul Reed
Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Injury Report
Celtics PF Danilo Gallinari (ACL) – Out
76ers C Joel Embiid (Grade 1 LCL sprain) – Out
Boston Celtics vs Phildelphia 76ers Prediction
Boston owns a 3-1 advantage over Philadelphia this past season, having lost the one game by just two points. In the Embiid era, the Celtics are 8-1 against the 76ers in the postseason — making this series one that many had in Boston’s favor with the MVP candidate in the lineup.
Without Embiid, the 76ers are relying on James Harden turning back the clock to his Rockets days — which may become closer to a reality this summer should the former MVP return to Houston — and Tyrese Maxey to make a leap.
Even if both of those things happened, Boston’s depth and offensive firepower makes it hard to envision the 76ers competing with the Celtics in Game 1.
Celtics 116 76ers 101