Celtics vs Sixers: Battle for Playoff Supremacy

0:00It's April 17th. This is Boston Celtics News Today, AI-powered updates on your team. I'm Cory with the story. Boston Celtics and Philly Sixers tip off their first round playoff series Sunday afternoon in Beentown. The Celtics have been on fire, ripping off 51 wins and 19 losses since a shaky 5-7 start. They rank second in offensive rating and fourth in defense when you strip out garbage time. Meanwhile, the Sixers scraped into the dance with a 46-37 record, counting their play-and-dub over Orlando and their embracing. Full underdog mode. Joel embodies the massive question mark after his appendectomy last week. He's out indefinitely, though his playoff history screams rushback energy. Philly went 24 and 14 with him this year, but just 21 and 23 without excluding play-ins. They split the regular season four games set with Boston, all thrillers, including a wild opener where Tyree's Maxi and Vijay Edgecomb dropped, 74 combined.

1:02Coach Nick Nurse beamed with pride after their play-and-win, calling out the squad's grit from a brutal 24 and 58 nightmare last year. Paul George's return after a 25-game suspension gives hope he averaged 21 points in his last 10. Jason Tatum's back too, post to Killie's tear, with 16 games of 22 points, 10 boards, and 5 dimes. Players like George respect Boston's champ pedigree, winners, superstars, well-oiled machine, rebounding Loom's large, Philly's 27th on defense, Celtic's 5th on offense, Boston loves threes, but slices mid-range too, and their slow pace plays into half-core battles. Maxi's nursing a pinky issue affecting his shot, but he's firing anyway. History stings, Sixers haven't beaten Boston in a series since 44 years back, dropping 4-1, 4-0, and 4-3 recently. Game 1 tests if Philly's back court speed and George's ISO game can disrupt the machine,

2:03especially sands and beat early. Expect tight rotations expanding, wings like just an Edward stepping up, and defensive schemes targeting stars. Obrei on Brown, maybe Walsh Hounding, Maxi. This one's prime for fireworks as the Sixers chased that elusive upset.