It's only Round 2 and we're already getting an epic match-up as the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics kick off their best-of-seven battle in the Eastern Conference Semifinals tonight. With Philadelphia sweeping the Brooklyn Nets in the first round, and Boston defeating the Atlanta Hawks, both teams are set for an electrifying showdown at TD Garden. Let's dive into what we can expect from this exciting matchup, backed by some interesting statistics.
The 76ers come into this series with a strong offensive edge, having scored 1.17 points per possession during the regular season and averaging an impressive 20.0 second-chance points per game in the postseason. Boasting top 3-point accuracy (38.7%) and free-throw accuracy (83.5%) during 2022-23, their offensive prowess poses a real challenge for the Celtics. On the defensive end, the 76ers were exceptional against the Nets, allowing fewer than 1.03 points per possession, with a stellar 82.7% defensive rebound rate and only 5.5 second-chance points allowed per game.
Boston, on the other hand, showcases a powerful offense, backed by star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and an equally impressive defense. Scoring 118.8 points per 100 possessions in the Atlanta series, the Celtics ranked second in the league in defensive rating (110.6) during the regular season, and managed to maintain their strong pace against the Hawks. They excelled in blocking 7.2 shots per game and limiting free throw attempts to only 16.5 per contest, while also proving effective in preventing fast break points (10.3 per game) and points in the paint (47.0 per game) against Atlanta.
With SportsLine's model predicting an over on the total combined points (221 points) and one side of the spread hitting over 50% of the time, this series is shaping up to be a nail-biter. As a basketball enthusiast, I can't wait to see these two formidable teams clash in what promises to be an unforgettable showdown. Grab your popcorn, folks – this is going to be a wild ride!
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