By Sean Kennedy
Most seasons if I told you the Sixers had an opportunity to take the season-series off hated rival Boston, it would be cause for as least minor celebration. This year, it’s little more than a footnote as the team winds down a season devoted mainly to accruing losses with a bit of player development sprinkled in for seasoning. Still, having won 2 of 3 against Boston already this season, and essentially being locked into the second worst record in the league, it seems like a worthy goal for the home finale of the year. After all, we all need something to work toward.
The Celtics have actually been on what qualifies as a hot streak for them, winning their last two games over Charlotte and Cleveland. Ironically, those wins could have huge ramifications on the future of the franchise, as they may mean the difference between picking 3rd and 6th in this summer’s draft. That’s poor tanking form, Boston. The Celtics will have a new starting backcourt since the Sixers last defeated them a week and a half ago. Rajon Rondo has missed the last two games with a shin bruise, but Boston has happily welcomed back combo guard Avery Bradley. Bradley has scored at least 22 points in all 3 games since returning from an Achilles injury; he represents Boston’s best threat from the outside, having greatly improved his outside shooting this season (40% from three). Bradley and Jeff Green, who sank 5 threes on his way to 36 points in Boston’s lone win against the Sixers this season, are the lone players at least average from the perimeter.
With Jerryd Bayless also out with a sprained knee, there’s been plenty of run for Celtics reserve point guard Phil Pressey, who has responded nicely with 13 assists in each of the two game. However, I would expect the Sixers’ Michael Carter-Williams to have a field day against the 5’11” Pressey (the good kind of field day where they keep score and have an eliminator obstacle course at the end, not the boring kind where they say it’s all for fun and declare all the kids winners). In the last meeting between the teams, the Sixers received huge performances from both MCW and Henry Sims, who will need to contend with Celtics’ rookie big man Kelly Olynyk. Filling in for an injured Jared Sullinger, Olynyk dropped 25 points and 12 rebounds last game against the Cavaliers. Given his ability to stretch the floor, the Sixers may cross-match defensively with Thad Young on Olynyk and Henry Sims on Brandon Bass, but it should be an interesting match-up to watch nonetheless.
Two games left.
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