The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers kicked off their second-round series on May 2, 2023, in an intense game filled with highlights and excitement (Philadelphia Inquirer). Although 76ers star Joel Embiid was ruled out prior to the series opener in Boston due to an injury, the team displayed great resilience and managed to secure a victory (Philadelphia Inquirer; Sporting News).
The final score saw the 76ers take the win with 119-115 against the Celtics (ESPN). The Celtics failed to bring the same competitive edge they played with to close out their series with the previous opponents (Sports Illustrated). Despite Embiid’s absence, the Philadelphia squad did not let it hinder their performance (Philadelphia Inquirer).
Throughout the game, James Harden played a pivotal role for the 76ers, silencing criticisms of his performance and capabilities (Sixers Wire). Doc Rivers, the head coach of the 76ers, expressed pride in his team’s newfound toughness displayed during their win over the Celtics (Sixers Wire). The Celtics, on the other hand, were left to address letting their guard down in the Game 1 loss (Sports Illustrated).
As the historic rivalry between these two franchises continues, fans are eager to see what the rest of the series has in store. With no two teams in NBA history having played against each other more in the playoffs than the Celtics and 76ers (CBS Sports), this showdown is sure to entertain and enthrall audiences.
