Gameday Preview: Celtics vs 76ers
Credit: Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics basketball is finally back, and what better way to start than Celtics vs Sixers. These two teams of course met in last season’s playoffs with Boston winning in a sweep. Since then, both teams have made some significant changes.
Philadelphia almost looks like an entirely new team this season. They’ve moved on from Al Horford and Josh Richardson and brought in much more shooting and veteran leadership. Both Danny Green and Dwight Howard were members of that Los Angeles Lakers team that won it all last season. Green gives Philly some much needed shooting to surround both Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Howard will be a nice addition for the Sixers off the bench to back up Embiid. They also received Seth Curry in a deal that sent Richardson to Dallas. Curry, like Green, will provide some much needed shooting for a Philly team that really hasn’t had much since the departure of JJ Redick. Possibly the most substantial change the 76ers have made is at the coaching position. After seven seasons, they finally decided to move on from Brett Brown after he was once again foiled by the Celtics in the playoffs. They’ve brought in old friend Doc Rivers to take on the job.
The Celtics have made some changes of their own. Unfortunately, the most noticeable change is a negative one, the loss of Gordon Hayward. However, the Celtics did bring in some solid guys to fill the void. Jeff Teague is a former all star that will be coming off the bench for the C’s when Kemba Walker is healthy. He’ll likely start tonight and will be someone to watch for sure. Teague was solid last season while playing in two small markets, Minnesota and Atlanta. He flew under the radar averaging 10 points and 5 assists. The other big name that Boston brought in was Tristan Thompson. Thompson is someone with championship experience, winning with Cleveland back in 2016. He’ll be a big help down low this season. He is one of the best statistical rebounders in the league and does a solid job of defending the pick and roll. Then of course, there’s the rookies. Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard will play on an NBA court for the first time tonight. They should both see significant minutes seeing how it is a preseason game after all.
As far as the actual game goes, Celtics vs Sixers always makes for a good time. It’s a better time when there are fans to cause chaos, but a good time nonetheless. As of now, it’s looking like Boston will go into tonight’s game shorthanded. Thompson will be out with a Hamstring injury, but it looks like the C’s will also be without starting center, Daniel Theis. Theis is dealing with a back injury and Boston does not want to rush him back for a preseason game. With that being said, it’s looking like Embiid may have a field day with the Celtics tonight. Philadelphia enters tonight as three point favorites for all of you bettors out there.
You can catch tonight’s game at 7:30 on NBC Sports Boston and TNT.
Thanks for reading!
