On Monday, we asked you to make your pick for the Eastern Conference Semifinal that pits the top-seeded Raptors against the LeBron James-led Cavaliers. As I noted in that story, the Warriors and Rockets are significant favorites to advance in the West, and Boston’s injury-plagued roster makes the Sixers a big favorite in the other Eastern series.
However, in Game 1 of that Celtics/Sixers series on Monday night, Boston certainly didn’t look like an underdog. The C’s controlled the game, racking up 17 three-pointers and giving the Sixers’ offense problems on the other end of the court. Led by Jayson Tatum, Terry Rozier, and Al Horford, the Celtics won Game 1 in convincing fashion despite missing Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, and Daniel Theis.
Even after the Celtics’ Game 1 win, the Sixers are still favored by oddsmakers to win the series. In fact, the Celtics – up 1-0 in the series – are viewed as a longer shot to advance to the next round than the underdog Cavs are in the other Eastern Semifinal, which hasn’t yet started.
Those odds make sense — the Sixers may have been rusty after their long layoff between games, and we should expect point guard Ben Simmons to play better than he did in Game 1 (seven turnovers). Philadelphia probably won’t shoot 5-of-26 on three-pointers again either.
Still, the Celtics, led by Brad Stevens‘ inventive schemes, showed they won’t be pushovers. With Brown hoping to return soon and the C’s holding home court advantage for now, a long series looks like a distinct possibility.
What do you think? Will the Sixers bounce back and advance to the Eastern Finals, or will the Celtics build on Game 1’s win and maintain control of the series going forward?
Vote in our poll, then head below to the comment section to share your thoughts on the series!
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Celtics in 7.
I’m not sold yet on young sixers ability to close out tight playoff games. Simmons FT shooting, team inexperience, head coaching playoff inexperience.
But with that said, watch out… the sixers are definitely on their way to elite status.
Really isn’t much difference between the coaching and experience. Sixers have better players on the court though. Celtics were hot. This isn’t the NCAA tournament though, it’s a 7 game series. Not a series until the home team loses as the saying goes.
19% vs 48% that’s the narrative of Game 1 – 3pt shooting. Sixers unlikely to shoot that poorly in game 2, likely to return to 34-38% season/playoff range. Celtics unlikely to shoot that lights out again, returning to their 36-37% season’playoff range.
Nice analyses posters. I add that Rozier and Smart is a formidable defensive duo at guard for Simmons to handle… though it was the Sixers’ Fs with the accuracy issues gm 1.
Beating the Celts may require a Simmons learning process.
Your analysis good also, but I like ZA better than mine…. more real stats. I don’t do stats, I go with the gut, which is about 50/50 lately…..
As a Green Blood, even I am shocked at the half strength C’s domination in three straight over the Sixers. I thought the best the C’s could accomplish would be getting some great pay off basketball experience for their youngsters to build upon next year when Hayward/Irving are running the team. Now, though. I’m in heaven. Tatum. Brown, Rozier and Smart, along with Playoff Al (sorry Lou), are not just gaining play off experience,they’re e,barraging a team who will ne the biggest chleersover te extfewy