The 76ers four-game sweep of the Brooklyn Nets could not have come at a better time. The team in general and specifically Joel Embiid is getting some much needed rest.
Embiid missed the final game in Brooklyn on Saturday after injuring his knee in Game 3. After the win, Doc Rivers stated that it is a 50/50 shot that Embiid plays in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals which will likely be in Boston against the Celtics.
The Celtics have played the Sixers tough all season, winning three of the four games they have matched up in. The game plan for the Celtics has been to let Embiid score as much as he wants but to limit the rest of the team, which is the exact opposite of what the Nets game plan was against the Sixers.
Against the Nets, the Sixers got strong contributions from everyone including a 33 point game from Tyrese Maxey in Game 2, and three 20+ point games from Tobias Harris. With Maxey, Harris, and James Harden showing out so far in the playoffs, it will be interesting to see how that game plan works when Embiid does return to play.
If the most likely scenario occurs and the Sixers do draw the Celtics next, they will likely be significant underdogs which Philadelphia is no stranger to. It would not be the craziest thing in the world if the Sixers play the Celtics hard and even find a way to squeak it out.
This is by far the best Sixers team in recent memory, it is unfortunate that they will likely face their biggest test of the season in the dreaded second round of the playoffs. The Celtics have beaten up the Sixers all year but the NBA playoffs are basically a brand new season and the Sixers do not have anything to lose.
2022-2023 has seen the Phillies, Eagles, Union, and Stars all appear in the championship but come up just short. Why not add the Sixers to that list and maybe even salvage a title after this fun but tough year.
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