The Philadelphia 76ers got Joel Embiid back just a couple of weeks after surgery, but the Boston Celtics showed that the home team still isn't a serious title contender in a Game 4 blowout. Payton Pritchard helped Boston jump out to a 16-point lead after one quarter, and the Celtics never looked back. The Sixers were healthy, but this roster doesn’t have the talent or depth to compete with the NBA’s best.
Embiid had a strong game. He finished with 26 points, ten rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block in 34 minutes. It was incredible to see the big man play that much just a couple of weeks after undergoing surgery. This loss wasn’t on him. It was on Daryl Morey’s roster building. The Celtics are the far superior team, even when Philly is healthy.
Tyrese Maxey is a star, but selecting him in the draft has kept Morey around. The 76ers need to build around their young guard duo. Sadly, they can’t because the lead executive clogged up their books with max contracts for Embiid and Paul George.
The 76ers aren’t serious title contenders after Game 4 loss
This was a nightmare game. Philly gave up 34 points in the first quarter and another 39 in the third. The defense was atrocious. Fans know it takes a top ten defense to be a serious title threat. The Sixers simply can’t reach that level with this version of Embiid. He doesn’t have the lateral quickness or foot speed to be an elite rim protector that switches onto the perimeter.
The Sixers can’t run it back next season. Boston has embarrassed them in this series and is a far superior team. Philly needs more talent, depth, and a better-fitting roster to compete. It was clear in Game 4.
Morey can’t trick us into thinking the 76ers are a small move away. They need to trade Embiid or Paul George and acquire some depth. It is the only path to build a serious threat around Maxey and Edgecombe. Making those moves will be difficult, but that is why Morey earns millions of dollars every year.
The Sixers scored 96 and lost by 32 on Sunday night. Boston is the favorite to win the East, but they’ve outscored Philly by 58 over the four games. This series isn’t close. The franchise thought Embiid’s return might give the 76ers a shot, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Philadelphia 76ers found out they can’t compete with the Boston Celtics even when they are fully healthy. Joel Embiid returned in Game 4, but Boston still dominated the Sixers on their home floor. Changes are needed. If Daryl Morey won’t make them, Philly needs to find someone else to do it. It is the only path to contention.
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