76ers vs Celtics: the matchup, the stakes, the verdict

Before Game 5 of the Philadelphia 76ers’ first-round series against the Boston Celtics, it was fair to wonder if the Sixers were better off if Joel Embiid didn’t play. 76ers vs Celtics has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Australia.

Key facts

• Before Game 5 of the Philadelphia 76ers’ first-round series against the Boston Celtics, it was fair to wonder if the Sixers were better off if Joel Embiid didn’t play.
• The Boston Celtics are 5.5 point favorites over the Sixers tonight in Game 6.
• Game 6 in Philly may come down to the Joel Embiid-Nikola Vučević matchup and Boston's ability to make its 3-pointers.
• Guided by Joel Embiid's 33, the 76ers go into Boston and come away with a gutsy Game 5 win to force the series back to Philly.
• As important as Embiid’s return has been, this remains a make-or-miss series from 3-point range, especially for the Celtics.

What we know

Going deeper, the Boston Celtics are 5.5 point favorites over the Sixers tonight in Game 6.

On the substance, Game 6 in Philly may come down to the Joel Embiid-Nikola Vučević matchup and Boston's ability to make its 3-pointers.

Beyond the headlines, Guided by Joel Embiid's 33, the 76ers go into Boston and come away with a gutsy Game 5 win to force the series back to Philly.

More precisely, as important as Embiid’s return has been, this remains a make-or-miss series from 3-point range, especially for the Celtics.

It is worth noting that Game 5 came with the Celtics’ lowest 3-point rate of the series.

By the numbers

At this stage, the Celtics weren’t as good at navigating screens in Game 5, and the Sixers were able to step into some critical jumpers as they outscored the Celtics, 40-16, over the final 14 1/2 minutes.

On a related note, But the Celtics’ defense wasn’t much better without him, and they scored just 10 points on 17 possessions of the fourth before subbing out their starters with 2:16 left.

Going deeper, the Sixers return home to play the Celtics in Game 6 of the first round series.

On the substance, the Philadelphia Sixers will play the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the first-round playoff matchup.

The wider context

On a related note, Celtics Game 2 of the first round playoff matchup will air on NBC Sports Network.

Going deeper, the Celtics are 5.5 point favorites tonight over the Sixers.

On the substance, plus, the Celtics took advantage of him on the other end of the floor.

Beyond the headlines, He bullied the Celtics in the post and wasn’t much of a liability on defense.

More precisely, Credit the Sixers for some of the Celtics’ struggles.

The bottom line

• The Boston Celtics are 5.5 point favorites over the Sixers tonight in Game 6.
• As important as Embiid’s return has been, this remains a make-or-miss series from 3-point range, especially for the Celtics.
• The Celtics weren’t as good at navigating screens in Game 5, and the Sixers were able to step into some critical jumpers as they outscored the Celtics, 40-16, over the final 14 1/2 minutes.
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