By: Kylan Watson
Old-school basketball fans will love this second-round playoff match-up that pits the Philadelphia 76ers against the Boston Celtics. 76ers vs. Celtics is a historic basketball rivalry that has included basketball legends like Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Larry Bird, Moses Malone, John Havlicek, Wilt Chamberlain, and so many more. Now a new generation of NBA players like Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brown, and Marcus Smart have a chance to make their mark in this match-up. This rivalry being renewed in 2018, for a spot in the Eastern Conference Championship at 8 pm EST. Just adds to a very good and balanced NBA postseason.
The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Miami Heat in a tough playoff match-up in five games. The Sixers won their first playoff match-up since 2012. In 2012, the Sixers lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games. The Sixers will be looking to redeem themselves, even though nobody on the Sixers roster played in that 2012 match-up.
The Sixers have a very balanced young core of players that includes Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Two players who played very well in their first-round match-up against the Heat. Simmons and Embiid must continue to play well and get their teammates involved if they want to beat the Celtics.
The Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games in a very tough first round match-up. The Celtics also rely very heavily on a young core of players. The Celtics core includes 2017 first round pick and Forward Jayson Tatum, guard Jalen Brown, and Marcus Smart.
Tatum and Brown were a big reason for the Celtics success. The growth of these young players is even more impressive when you consider that this team is without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward and are still four games away from a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. These players must continue to play well and use their outside shooting to open their inside game if they want to beat the Sixers.
These young Celtics much like the Sixers have matured before our eyes, as both teams have adjusted to some tough play in the playoffs. Both teams will be great for years to come. However, the Sixers are a better team than the Celtics on both sides of the ball. The Sixers will have to limit their turnovers if they want to go to the Eastern Conference Finals.
This has been a great postseason for the NBA and it is only fitting that this historic rivalry between the Sixers and Celtics is renewed once again, with a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals on the line. If the Sixers can limit their turnovers and get some great performances out of their bench players. They will win in six games.
