PREVIEW: The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers meet in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday at 7 p.m. ET , with the series tied at 1-1 after the Celtics dominated Game 1 with a 123-91 victory and the 76ers answered with a 111-97 win in Game 2. Boston's elite perimeter defense ranks second in preventing quality three-point opportunities while simultaneously ranking 28th in allowing three-point attempts , creating a fascinating defensive paradox that will test Philadelphia's spacing and shooting efficiency. The Celtics also rank near the bottom in attacking the rim, which could prove costly against a Philadelphia team that ranks sixth in attacking the paint with high frequency . This matchup hinges on whether Boston can limit the 76ers' offensive aggression near the basket while maintaining their league-leading three-point discipline. Joel Embiid's status has been upgraded to doubtful ahead of Game 3 after missing the first two contests, with a final update coming ahead of tipoff. V.J. Edgecombe emerged as Philadelphia's hero in Game 2, finishing with 30 points and 10 rebounds , while the Celtics need Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to bounce back and attack the rim aggressively to create open looks for role players like Sam Hauser and Derrick White. Philadelphia's low frequency of post-up shots and heavy reliance on isolation plays rank near the bottom of the league, which contrasts sharply with Boston's high spacing on offense that ranks second . With the series heading to Philadelphia's home court, both teams face critical adjustments to capitalize on their respective strengths.