One of the more intriguing matchups of the young season will take place Wednesday when the Philadelphia 76ers host a longtime rival, the Boston Celtics.
The Sixers have won five straight since an opening night one-point loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Philadelphia crushed the Washington Wizards 146-128 on Monday as reigning Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid led the way with 48 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Guard Tyrese Maxey added 22 points and a career-high 11 assists.
Philadelphia crushed the Washington Wizards 146-128 on Monday as reigning Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid led the way with 48 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Guard Tyrese Maxey added 22 points and a career-high 11 assists.
Without James Harden (now with the Los Angeles Clippers), Maxey had the ball in his hands much more often. The result was a career-best in assists. And nothing seemed forced at all.
Maxey has recorded double-doubles in three of the first six games.
The Celtics won their first five games before falling Monday to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 114-109 in overtime.
Jayson Tatum scored 32 points, Jaylen Brown added 26 and Kristaps Porzingis had 20 but was saddled with foul trouble. Jrue Holiday also contributed 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists but shot only 4 of 16 from the field.
The Celtics were unable to overcome a stellar 38-point performance by Anthony Edwards. Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla said that this type of loss would have stung much more last season.
This time around, he’s looking at it differently, especially this early in the season.
The schedule doesn’t get any easier with the sizzling Sixers up next. Expect a raucous atmosphere at the Wells Fargo Center for the latest edition of this rivalry. Boston guard Derrick White missed his second consecutive game following the birth of his second child. It’s unclear if he will be available for the game against the Sixers.
