Celtics could be vulnerable to 76ers early in series

The Boston Celtics have exceeded expectations this season. They were expected to struggle as they were without superstar Jayson Tatum for the majority of the season as he rehabbed from last season’s Achilles injury. Tatum was able to return late in the year and fellow star Jaylen Brown had already led the Celtics to a solid season. The Celtics return to the playoffs with a first-round matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Sixers were victorious in their Play-In matchup with the Orlando Magic. While the Sixers won’t have injured center Joel Embiid (appendectomy) in the early part of the series, Philadelphia could pose a major challenge for Tatum, Brown and the rest of the Celtics. Tyrese Maxey is prepared to lead the Sixers into battle and he is coming off a season in which he led Philadelphia with an average of 28.3 points per game.

Maxey appears capable of going on a hot streak and causing problems for Boston’s active defense. He can clearly score and he can also create opportunities for his teammates.

Sixers could push Celtics hard

Clutch Points insider Brett Siegel pointed at the Sixers as a team capable of a first-round upset in the website’s Podcast.

“If there’s one team coming out of the play-in tournament that I think can pull off an upset, I think this is the match-up to watch,” Siegel said. “I think that’s going to be very, very interesting and I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s 2-2 heading into Game Five.”

The Celtics and the 76ers have one of the most storied playoff rivalries in the NBA. The two teams have met 22 times in the postseason and the Celtics have won 15 series victories. Philadelphia’s last postseason triumph over the Celtics was a 4-3 victory in 1982. The Celtics have won the last seven playoff meetings between the rivals.

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