Sixers-Celtics. Magic-Pistons. Raptors-Cavaliers. The first round of the NBA playoffs rolls on with not one, not two, but three series-deciding Game 7s — all in the Eastern Conference. It’s the most Game 7s in the first round since 2014.
So, who will advance? And are the Knicks, who have already earned their spot in Round 2, the team to beat in the East? Our writers weigh in.
Sixers-Celtics, Game 7: Who wins?
Tom Haberstroh: Celtics. The Celtics have shot below 30% from deep in the last two games, which is unconscionable with all the shooting talent on this team. Three straight games south of 30% on 3s? That’s never happened in the Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown playoff era, and I don’t see the drought continuing.
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Steve Jones: Celtics. The Sixers have delivered the right blend to get to this Game 7. Joel Embiid’s presence has elevated them in the half-court, Paul George has contributed on both ends, and Tyrese Maxey has gotten more aggressive and decisive as the series has wore on. But I expect a level of desperation from the Celtics in Game 7, a willingness to try anything defensively (or lineup-wise) to take one of the Sixers’ dominoes off the board. The Garden will have its anxious moments, but the Celtics win.
Dan Titus: Sixers. The momentum belongs to Philly. It’s hard to believe, but Boston’s starting lineup has been the worst offensive unit thus far in the postseason. Expect Philly to throw the kitchen sink defensively because when the Celtics shoot 30% from 3, they lose. If the Sixers ditch the slow starts, attack in transition and continue to play unselfishly through Embiid, the curse ends tonight. Give me the road dog Sixers.
Ben Rohrbach: Celtics. These teams are far more even than I figured at series’ start, especially since Embiid returned to the lineup for the 76ers. But the Celtics have not lost three games in a row since the first three games of the regular season, when they were a different team. It’s hard to imagine Brown and Tatum blowing three games at home in this series, too, including a Game 7, but I don’t feel great about the pick. The Sixers absolutely have a…
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Author : Yahoo Sports Staff
Publish date : 2026-05-02 16:47:00
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