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NBA East playoff preview capsules: Celtics-76ers, Knicks-Hawks, Cavaliers-Raptors
TL;DR
The Boston Celtics face the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference playoffs, tied 2-2 in their season series. Key factors include Joel Embiid's health for the 76ers and the Celtics' 3-point shooting performance.
Key points
- Celtics and 76ers tied 2-2 in season series
- Celtics have won the last six playoff series against 76ers
- Joel Embiid's health is crucial for Philadelphia
- Derrick White vs. Tyrese Maxey is a key matchup
- Celtics' 3-point shooting will be important
Boston CelticsPhiladelphia 76ers
Capsules on the Eastern Conference first-round series:
No. 2 Boston Celtics (56-26) vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers (45-37)
Season series: Tied, 2-2.
Story line: This is by far the most common matchup in NBA postseason history, the rivals about to meet in a playoff series for the 23rd time. The edge for a couple of generations now has been with Boston — the Celtics have won the last six series between the clubs, mostly recently a seven-gamer in 2023, and Philadelphia hasn't eliminated Boston in a playoff matchup since 1982. For Philadelphia, much hinges on how quickly Joel Embiid can return from his appendectomy. For Boston, it'll be about the 3-point line — and this might be surprising to some, but the 76ers were better than the Celtics from beyond the arc in all four meetings this season.
Key matchup: Derrick White vs. Tyrese Maxey. White is one of the best on-ball defenders in the league, and Maxey averaged 30 points per game in the four 76ers-Celtics games this season. It's never going to be about a 1-on-1 matchup, but if Maxey gets rolling it's going to create issues for the Celtics. Then again, if Embiid isn't back or isn't effective, the 1-2 Boston punch of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum might render whatever Maxey does moot anyway.
Prediction: Celtics in 6.
No. 3 New York Knicks (53-29) vs. No. 6 Atlanta Hawks (46-36)
Season series: Knicks, 2-1.
Story line: The Knicks hope to start another long playoff run against an Atlanta team that has played far better than a No. 6 seed for the last two months. The Hawks went 20-6 after the All-Star break to finish with their best record in a decade.
Key matchup: vs. . Brunson has eight 40-point games in the postseason since joining the Knicks in 2022, most in the NBA. The All-Star guard just scored 30, including 17 in the fourth quarter, to get the Knicks past the Hawks on April 6 in Atlanta. Daniels figures to get the assignment of trying to slow him. Already one of the NBA’s best defensive guards, Daniels was second in the league in steals while also improving offensively, shooting a career-best 51.7% from the field.
Q&A
What is the playoff history between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers?
The Celtics and 76ers are meeting in the playoffs for the 23rd time, with Boston winning the last six series.
How does Joel Embiid's injury affect the 76ers' chances against the Celtics?
Embiid's recovery from an appendectomy is crucial, as his absence could significantly weaken the 76ers' performance.
Who are the key players to watch in the Celtics vs. 76ers playoff series?
Key players include Derrick White for the Celtics and Tyrese Maxey for the 76ers, with their performances likely impacting the series outcome.
