Sixers begin playoffs in Boston with Sunday matinee

Key Points:

• The Philadelphia 76ers secured the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference after winning the Play-In Tournament and will face the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, where the Celtics are heavy favorites.
• The Sixers will be without star Joel Embiid due to recovery from appendectomy surgery, significantly impacting their chances against a healthy Celtics team led by Jayson Tatum, who has fully recovered from Achilles surgery.
• Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe are key players for the Sixers, with Maxey expected to lead the offense and Edgecombe providing defensive energy and transition opportunities against Boston’s strong half-court defense.
• Boston holds a rebounding advantage, particularly on the defensive glass, which could create second-chance scoring opportunities; Andre Drummond’s performance on the boards will be crucial for Philadelphia to stay competitive.
• The Celtics have not played a game in nine days, and the early afternoon tip-off time may disrupt routines, potentially giving the underdog Sixers a slight edge in an otherwise challenging matchup.