3 Ways the 76ers Will Test Celtics’ Title Hopes

The most common postseason opponents in NBA history meet again as the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers will square off for their 23rd playoff series. Boston holds a 15-7 edge in the all-time matchup and hopes to extend its lead as the rivals clash in the first round.

Boston enters as a heavy favorite, especially with Joel Embiid’s playing status unknown. He is expected to miss the start of the playoffs following an emergency appendectomy, with no clear timetable for his return.

Philadelphia is too talented to overlook. The Celtics have to be keyed in on the opponent in front of them. Truthfully, though, they have their eyes set on greater things than this first-round matchup. That’s not to say they can take the 76ers lightly, but within this series, there are elements that may be telling for Boston’s championship aspirations.

Here are three key factors to watch as the Celtics begin their chase for Banner 19.

Tyrese Maxey Attacking Drop Coverage

Two trends collide in this matchup: Tyrese Maxey’s continued rise and Boston’s increased reliance on drop coverage.

Maxey, the 2024 Most Improved Player, elevated his game again this season. He posted career-highs across the board while emerging as one of the league’s top pick-and-roll creators. His combination of burst and pull-up shooting makes him particularly effective against drop coverage, when bigs stay low against screens to be in position to protect the paint.

The Celtics made a philosophical change to lean more into drop coverage this season. Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis were two of the NBA’s best perimeter-defending bigs during their tenures with the Celtics. Asking centers to guard in space is a difficult ask. With Boston’s relative front court inexperience entering this season, Joe Mazzulla elected to put his centers in a safer position — using drop coverage.

However, Boston’s potential road to the Finals will test the viability of that strategy. Maxey is the first of several opponents standing in the way of another Celtics championship who thrives scoring off pick-and-rolls. Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Cade Cunningham, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all join Maxey in the NBA’s top 10 of points created out of pick-and-rolls.

Mazzulla will have to find the right balance. Boston has shown an ability to adjust mid-game. The April 7 win over the Charlotte Hornets is a prime example. In that contest, the Celtics adjusted from a deep drop to playing up on LaMelo Ball’s pick-and-roll operation. After erupting for 34 points through the first 28.5 minutes, Ball was held without a field goal make for the rest of the game.

Neemias Queta offers the mobility to execute those looks when needed. Even Nikola Vučević in that Hornets game generated some stops when stepping up. The Celtics will likely rely on drop coverage for their base defense, but how the Celtics choose to guard Maxey will be a data point for future series.

Limiting Turnovers

If Philadelphia is going to upset Boston, it needs to win the possession battle. The Celtics thrive on shot margin by limiting turnovers and being aggressive on the offensive glass. They don’t let many possessions go to waste.

The 76ers are opportunistic by generating and capitalizing on turnovers. They finished sixth in steals per game and ninth in transition efficiency. Paul George’s return from suspension only amplifies that pressure. His ability to generate steals, a longtime staple of his game, can add another layer of disruption.