Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers preview, injury report, and info - December 1, 2021
CelticsBlog.com
The Boston Celtics take on the Philadelphia 76ers tonight for the first time this season. Boston is coming off of a win over the Toronto Raptors but had previously lost two games in a row. Meanwhile, Philadelphia just beat the Orlando Magic in their last game but also lost two in a row before that.
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers preview, injury report, and info
How to Watch
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Mass.
Time: 7:30 p.m. (EST)
Channel(s): NBC Sports Boston, NBA League Pass
Team Breakdowns
The Celtics’ win over the Toronto Raptors was an odd one. Neither Jayson Tatum nor Jaylen Brow contributed much in the scoring column. Instead, it was a team effort, with five different players scoring 15 or more points on the night - Brown, Marcus Smart, Al Horford, Grant Williams, and Josh Richardson. Tatum did manage to tally 10 assists, though, displaying his improved passing abilities. He only shot 2-16 on the game but made up for it with his playmaking.
Enes Freedom also put in work off the bench, nearly notching a double-double (nine points, 10 rebounds). As a team, the Celtics’ three-point shooting was better than usual, but that was in large part due to Williams and Smart. Williams shot 3-4 from deep, while Smart shot 4-10. No one else on the team made more than one.
Williams is slowly becoming a staple in the Celtics’ rotation. On a team with few consistent shooters, he provides a breath of fresh air from behind the arc. With two ball-dominant stars in the starting lineup, plus Smart and Schroder handling the rock, having a catch-and-shoot maestro like Williams has become a huge help.
For the 76ers, their last few games have been about getting back into the swing of things. Big man Joel Embiid is just coming back from an injury and the team will likely take a few games to get back on track. He put up a monster 42-point performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves a few nights ago, but it didn’t translate to a win.
The other two players to watch out for on the 76ers are Seth Curry and Tyrese Maxey. Curry has been arguably the best shooter in the NBA this year. There are obviously other players who shoot more or shoot better percentages from deep, but when it comes to players whose only job is to shoot the basketball, there aren’t many better than Curry. As for Maxey, he looks as though he could be Philadelphia’s full-time starting point guard. In the absence of Ben Simmons, he has taken his game to the next level.
Injury Report
A recent statement from Ime Udoka disclosed that the team is hoping to have a fully healthy roster for tonight’s game. As of now, the only player listed on the injury report is Jaylen Brown, who is questionable due to injury management.
Outside of Simmons, who has yet to appear with the 76ers this season, the only player listed on the 76ers’ injury report is Grant Riller. He is out while dealing with a shoulder injury.
Keys to the Game
Whenever a team is facing off against the 76ers, the first key is always to check Embiid. It’s nearly impossible to stop him, but slowing him down is a must. Embiid is one of the best big men in the league, and arguably the best when it comes to pure domination of the post. However, the scary thing is that he’s now able to extend his game out beyond the three-point line. Embiid has become a multi-dimensional offensive player that opposing teams have nightmares about. Horford will likely get that assignment, so hopefully, he can put in some solid work.
Boston also needs to focus on getting good shots tonight. Their passing has been improving, but there have been a few lapses in the past week or so. The 76ers are not the defensive monster they were last season, but they still have solid defensive pieces. If the Celtics decide to settle for contested looks, the Sixers will kill them all night. The offense needs to be fluid, and the last game against the Raptors was a perfect example of that.
Finally, the C’s cannot focus on getting players in rhythm. This was the case for the first few games after Brown returned. It was clear that he was trying to find his own rhythm instead of working within the Celtics’ offense. With a few players returning tonight, there cannot be a change in the offense. No matter who is playing, Boston needs to be playing smart basketball at all times. Consistency is key.
Pregame Show
Make sure to tune in to our live pregame show, “The Banner Town Build Up.” We are live 30 minutes before every Celtics game at @GuyBostonSports on YouTube and Facebook. See you there at 7:00 p.m. (EST) tonight!
