The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid perfect counter to Boston

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates during the game against the Miami Heat in game five of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates during the game against the Miami Heat in game five of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 19: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Miami Heat in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 19: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Miami Heat in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Win the hotly contested battles

Joel Embiid is the player for the future of the Philadelphia 76ers.  Since he was drafted in 2014, the team has focused on building a team around his unique talents. First and foremost, this young man from Cameroon is in the right position to assert himself as one of the NBA’s premier centers. And what better stage than the Boston Garden.

Embiid stands alone for this Philadelphia 76ers team. He has been the loudest and proudest player on this team for years.  And it was not so long ago that he predicted the 76ers were playoff capable while they were still struggling to find wins.  He doubled down when he predicted the Cleveland Cavaliers fading into the sunset and the Philadelphia 76ers sunrise.

Stage made for the Phildelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are the hottest team in the NBA right now. They have won 20 of the last 21 games. But moreso, they took it to the Miami Heat hard in Miami. The Sixers have won their last nine road games, which is vital in the matchup against Boston. The Celtics, as proven by their series against the Bucks, are a far tougher team at home than on the road.

Next: 5 matchups worth watching in Sixers vs. Celtics

Boston shot a meager 35 percent on three-point shots against the Bucks, and now face a far stingier perimeter defense. The 76ers scored on 36.3 percent of their threes, and have a stronger rebound and assist track record. While the Celtics faced the versatile Bucks, the 76ers overcame a stingy Heat defense.  This is still new ground for the Sixers. But all in all, Coach Brett Brown has seasoned this young team into right-down-to-business veterans.  The key to this series is Joel Embiid. Watch Jo Jo go!