Sixers return home for tough test against Celtics

It wasn’t the smoothest win on Sunday, but the Sixers still held things together in the fourth quarter to beat the Bulls 127-121.

It takes Philadelphia to 9-2 on the season, and they’re in for more of a challenge on Tuesday. Next, as they return from their road trip, they’re taking on the team fighting them for the first spot in the East: the Boston Celtics.

Advertisement

As per usual, the Celtics are continuing their trend of being a top team on both ends of the floor. After ranking in the top four in both offensive and defensive rating last season, they’re top four in both areas yet again this season and first in net rating at +11.6.

Jayson Tatum, in his first full season back from his Achilles injury, has started strong. As the clear leader of the offense, he’s averaging 27.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and a big jump in assists to a career-high 7.8 per game. His usage percentage is higher than ever at 33.3, he’s effectively creating more for others, and the Celtics are using him well by running him off screens and getting him attacking downhill.

Tatum’s shot selection will be something else to be mindful of for the Sixers’ defense. So far, he’s cut down his three-pointers from at least 49 percent of his total field goal attempts in the last two seasons to 38.1, while using more attacks at the rim and mid-rangers.

Advertisement

If the Sixers’ forwards can guard Tatum physically and Joel Embiid can stay spry with his interior rotations and rim protection, that will be key to building an advantage on Tuesday.

Of course, the personal storyline we have to focus on in this one is Jaylen Brown’s first regular season contest against his former team. He’s already had some choice words for his old team and running mate Tatum to keep things entertaining lately.

Brown is entering the game in a great rhythm as well. He was stellar yet again in the Sixers’ win on Sunday, finishing with 29 points on 11-of-22 shooting, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal. Not to mention some important plays down the stretch to help lead the offense on a night the Sixers’ defense looked tired.

On the flip side, this is also going to be Paul George’s…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/sixers-return-home-tough-test-120000627.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-11-10 12:00:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.