Philadelphia 76ers learn firsthand Celtics rivalry alive and well

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 24: Fan holds up a sign during the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best hope is to leave Boston splitting the series

For any fan expecting a sweep, welcome to the NBA reality of rivalries. The best and most optimistic expectation is to split this series in Boston. Nor will any game result in a blowout. These games will have lead changes throughout the game. And for the fans of this series, embrace every moment – the thrills and the chills. There is nothing like it in the NBA anywhere else.

Rivalries do not engage in a game. They last throughout the season and offseason. They factor in to roster moves, salary decisions, and the next three-year’s worth of strategy. And it factors into a best-of-seven series as a split away from home, regroup, and win two at home. To advance, Philadelphia must win a game in Boston. The sooner that happens, the better.

Pass on the Celtics underdog

Some tout the injured Celtics as sure fire reason for the Philadelphia 76ers to win easily. It’s never that easy. Comparing second year player Joel Embiid, and first year player Ben Simmons to the Celtics players? The 94 games by Embiid and the 81 games of Simmons falls right in line to the rookie Jayson Tatum 80 games. And Jaylen Brown played 148 games and 24 playoff games already. Even Terry Rozier has double the NBA experience as Embiid.

So underdogs? Undermanned? There is no magic coaching sauce in Boston. They have assembled a veteran team with a small window each year to add one new young player. It’s been a solid strategy, and one powered by the combined drafts of both the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics over the Kevin Garnett trade. In short, the Celtics employed the same strategy as the Sixers did in rebuilding. The only difference? They landed a ton of picks and offload a ton of salary to get it started.