It wasn’t the smoothest win on Sunday, but the Sixers still held things together in the fourth quarter to beat the Bulls 127-121.
It takes Philadelphia to 9-2 on the season, and they’re in for more of a challenge on Tuesday. Next, as they return from their road trip, they’re taking on the team fighting them for the first spot in the East: the Boston Celtics.
As per usual, the Celtics are continuing their trend of being a top team on both ends of the floor. After ranking in the top four in both offensive
and defensive rating last season, they’re top four in both areas yet again this season and first in net rating at +11.6.
Jayson Tatum, in his first full season back from his Achilles injury, has started strong. As the clear leader of the offense, he’s averaging 27.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and a big jump in assists to a career-high 7.8 per game. His usage percentage is higher than ever at 33.3, he’s effectively creating more for others, and the Celtics are using him well by running him off screens and getting him attacking downhill.
Tatum’s shot selection will be something else to be mindful of for the Sixers’ defense. So far, he’s cut down his three-pointers from at least 49 percent of his total field goal attempts in the last two seasons to 38.1, while using more attacks at the rim and mid-rangers.
If the Sixers’ forwards can guard Tatum physically and Joel Embiid can stay spry with his interior rotations and rim protection, that will be key to building an advantage on Tuesday.
Of course, the personal storyline we have to focus on in this one is Jaylen Brown’s first regular season contest against his former team. He’s already had some choice words for his old team and running mate Tatum to keep things entertaining lately.
Brown is entering the game in a great rhythm as well. He was stellar yet again in the Sixers’ win on Sunday, finishing with 29 points on 11-of-22 shooting, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal. Not to mention some important plays down the stretch to help lead the offense on a night the Sixers’ defense looked tired.
On the flip side, this is also going to be Paul George’s first game in Philadelphia since being dealt to the Celtics. And to his credit, he’s playing great at both ends of the floor to start his tenure in Boston. Through nine games, George has averaged 20.4 points while shooting 42.5 percent from three on 8.1 attempts, 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game, while playing excellent, versatile defense.
George will be another good matchup for Brown, LeBron James and Dean Wade as the Sixers’ forwards switch across him and Tatum, and contesting George’s three-point threat in particular will be key to complementing defense of Tatum inside.
With Adem Bona remaining out due to his back injury, we should continue seeing more of Jabari Walker as a smaller backup center. He played a season-high of 19 minutes and 13 seconds against the Bulls on Sunday, and played well again — just as he has since preseason. Walker finished with nine points on 4-of-8 shooting and 11 rebounds, including an impressive five offensive boards. He hustled hard, was an integral factor in the Sixers out rebounding the Bulls, and even hit a three-pointer for good measure.
The Celtics do have more size with two 7-footers in Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson as their top centers, though, so Walker is going to be stretched. It’ll be interesting to see how he fares and competes physically to try and keep them in check on dives to the rim and go to work as a rebounder.
This matchup should be a great test for the Sixers’ 20th-ranked offense overall. From Derrick White’s elite defense in the backcourt, to Tatum and George disrupting on the wings and Queta and Robinson’s rim protection. We’ve seen many flashes of just how dangerous the Sixers’ new offense can be and lots of individual brilliance, whether it’s LeBron’s passing or Tyrese Maxey’s electric scoring. But after a rough defeat against the Cavaliers on Friday and a shaky win against the Bulls, the Sixers are likely going to need a more consistent, balanced effort to beat the Celtics.
If the Sixers can handle Boston on Tuesday and the Raptors on Thursday, they’ll be in good shape to strengthen their hold on the No. 1 seed this month. Because after that, the Sixers’ schedule starts easing up with plenty of matchups against teams under .500 through the rest of November.
We’ve seen these Sixers take down several difficult opponents already. Let’s see if they can do it again the Celtics.
Game Details
When: Tuesday, November 10, 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBCSP/PCK-PHI, NBC, Peacock
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers
