Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics
PREVIEW: The Boston Celtics arrive in Philadelphia ranked first in high-frequency three-point shooting at 52.7% of their attempts, yet they also rank near the bottom in attacking the rim and drawing fouls, suggesting a perimeter-dependent offensive identity. The 76ers have been one of the hottest teams in the league, standing as one of only two undefeated squads in the East with a 4-0 record. Boston has bounced back with two straight wins after dropping their first three games, including a dominant 20-point rout of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics are without several components of their recent successful teams, including Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford, among others.
Philadelphia's defensive metrics reveal a concerning vulnerability against perimeter shooters, ranking 26th in three-point defense while allowing high-quality looks from distance. Tyrese Maxey leads the 76ers with 37.5 points and 8.3 assists per game this season. Maxey has been scorching hot with 37.5 points per game, while Edgecombe adds 22.3 points, providing stability while Embiid continues to recover and George remains sidelined. Seven of the last eight meetings, including the last five, have gone over the total.