Sixers vs. Celtics: 3 things to watch for in critical Game 1

The Sixers are back in the playoffs! Now what?

No sane-minded individual would claim the Sixers “lived up to expectations” this season. And yet, despite a slew of disappointments and more oddities out of a gothic horror novel, the Philadelphia 76ers are primed to face — you guessed it — the Boston Celtics in the NBA playoffs.

Time is a flat circle.

The Sixers are major underdogs in this series despite having its best player (Joel Embiid) and having won the season series 3-1. On paper, this is a series made for Embiid to dominate. It is, however, also a series — on paper — that doesn’t favor Philadelphia in virtually any other area.

Beyond Embiid, the Sixers are at a severe disadvantage. Even if Matisse Thybulle transforms into the basketball love child of Robert Covington and Scottie Pippen, I’m not sure Philadelphia’s perimeter defense can contain the Celtics bevy of wings. This is an uphill battle for a Sixers team that still hasn’t clicked on all cylinders.

My prediction is simple. Joel Embiid will do work, the Sixers will make proactive adjustments — a frustrating rarity in the Brett Brown era — and despite it all, Boston will waltz into a second-round matchup with the Toronto Raptors. Celtics in five is my pick.

As the Game 1 approaches — tonight, August 17 at 6:30 PM E.T., to be exact — here are three things to watch for.