Hoping for a similar result

The 18-7 Philadelphia 76ers are continuing to rack up the Ws. They are riding a three-game winning streak and have won 11 of their last 13 games. With the defense playing a key role, they have also held seven of those opponents to under 100 points.

The Sixers started slow in their initial meeting with the Boston Celtics but was able to tighten the control as the game went on, which eventually led to a 107-93 victory. Ben Simmons (14 PPG, 7 RPG, 8.4 APG) had a team-high 24 points to go along eight rebounds and nine assists, and he guided a good-flowing offense that saw all five Sixer starters reach double figures.

Hopefully, though, Joel Embiid (22 PPG, 12.4 RPG) is able to play better. He posted a classic big man stat line in that aforementioned win (15 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks) but only shot 5-for-14 from the floor.

Tobias Harris (19.2 PPG), ever the attacker from inside and out, will remain as an offensive threat. Al Horford (13.8 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.9 APG), meanwhile, is also someone to watch out for as he may get fed often considering that the game is his Boston homecoming.

Josh Richardson is back from a hamstring injury but he’s still trying to ease back his on-court rhythm. He played 19 minutes against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday and was 1-for-8 for three points.

The Sixers are 5-7 on the road this season.

Off a frustrating loss

The Celtics had their five-game winning streak halted by the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, 122-117. Kemba Walker’s season-high 44 points wasn’t enough as the defense gave up 38 points in the fourth quarter. Boston fell to 17-6 following the loss.

Coming off such a defeat isn’t good momentum-wise if they want to get back a win against a team like the Sixers, especially since tomorrow is on the second night of a back-to-back.

The Celtics shot poorly in that first encounter. The team collectively went 36.7% from the floor, with Walker and Jayson Tatum combining to go 12-for-40. Jaylen Brown, currently the team’s third key scorer, wasn’t involved much in that contest, scoring eight points on 3-for-6 shooting across 21 minutes.

Nevertheless, the trio will still be focal point of the Celtics’ attack. All three are averaging 20-plus PPG on the season, with Brown also shooting over 50%.

The Celtics won’t be as fresh as the Sixers but they are a flawless, 10-0 at home this season.

PREDICTION:

We should see an entertaining back-and-forth from the growing rivals. The Celtics win a close one, 106-104, as the Sixers’ mediocrity on the road get highlighted again.