Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Round 2 series starts today between the 76ers and Celtics and has me salivating. This is one of the league’s classic rivalries, but there hasn’t been a postseason series between the two historic franchises in quite some time. They last saw one another in the Eastern semis back in 2012—a series Boston won 4-3—and prior to that they met in a best-of-five first round series in 2002 that the C’s also won, 3-2.
This series and Game 1 pits the young superstars of Philadelphia Joel Embild and Ben Simmons acquired through the draft in what is now known as 'the process' against a Celtics squad also full of young stars anchored around proven All Star Centre Al Horford. The Celtics are minus there best player in Kyrie Irving out with a knee injury and acquired free agent star Gordon Hayward who only played 1 game of the season before suffering that gruesome leg injury.
The 76ers are coming in to Game 1 off a fairly easy 4-1 series win over the heat where as the Celtics were pushed to 7 games by the Bucks and will be feeling some affects from that tough series. For me the key to Game 1 at home is Aussie phenom Ben Simmons, this kid is a lock for Rookie Of The Year and became the first rookie since Magic Johnson to have a triple double in the playoffs in the Round 1 series against the Heat. Al Horford has been quoted as saying that Simmons cant be guarded and they are going to need help defense on him. If Simmons can play his usual all round game and find the open shooters, run the floor, score inside and rebound i see the 76ers causing an upset and winning this game.
Where Boston hold the edge is in the home court advantage with Game 1 being held in the revered Boston Garden where a raucous crowd and the ghosts and Banners of Bostons past heroics await a young Philly team who will need to hold there nerve in a hostile environment. My prediction is a tight game Philly winning by 5.
Hope you enjoyed my post, go ahead and throw a comment and upvote my way if you did, love to hear from you all about what will be an epic series.