As the Boston Celtics smoothly transitioned into the All-Star break, the Philadelphia 76ers stumbled, seeking to regain their footing.
The Celtics have been in impressive form, winning seven of their last eight games. In contrast, the 76ers have struggled, dropping seven of their last eight matches as they prepare for Thursday’s showdown in Philadelphia.
Boston’s strong first-half finish included a thrilling 118-110 victory over the 76ers on February 2, where the defending NBA champions overcame a 26-point deficit late in the third quarter. The mood was markedly different for the Sixers after that game.
That win served as a measure of revenge for the Celtics, who had previously lost to Philadelphia on Christmas Day. Thursday’s clash will be the third of four meetings between these Atlantic Division rivals, with the final game scheduled for March 6 in Boston.
In the meantime, the 76ers aim to halt their losing streak after dropping their last five games before the break. They suffered a disappointing 100-96 loss to the Brooklyn Nets in their most recent outing on February 12. Kelly Oubre Jr. and newcomer Quentin Grimes both scored 30 points, but Paul George managed only two points on 1-of-7 shooting.
Joel Embiid, who has been limited to just 17 games this season due to a knee injury, missed that game. However, the former MVP was a full participant in practice on Tuesday. Tyrese Maxey, also recovering from a knee injury, practiced as well. Philadelphia will need all available firepower to challenge Boston’s lineup.
Jayson Tatum concluded the first half of the season with a stellar performance, scoring 32 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in a 116-103 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on February 12. Tatum is averaging 27.0 points per game for the first-place Celtics, while Jaylen Brown contributes 22.9 points per game.
Additionally, Kristaps Porzingis is coming off one of his best games of the season, posting 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting in the win over San Antonio.
