The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics are two of the most storied franchises in NBA history, and when they face off in the playoffs, it's always a big deal. The 2023 playoffs are no exception, with the two teams squaring off in the first round. However, there's a major question mark hanging over the series, and that's the health of Sixers star center Joel Embiid.
Embiid, a dominant force in the NBA when healthy, has been battling a nagging knee injury for several weeks. He missed the last two games of the regular season as a precautionary measure, and there were concerns that he might miss Game 1 of the playoffs as well. However, he toughed it out and played in that game, leading the Sixers to a convincing win over the Celtics.
Despite the victory, Embiid's health remains a major concern for the Sixers. They need him to be at his best if they want to make a deep playoff run, and there's no doubt that he's not 100% right now. He's admitted as much himself, saying that he's dealing with pain and discomfort in his knee.
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The Sixers are taking a cautious approach with Embiid, limiting his minutes and keeping a close eye on his health. They don't want to risk aggravating the injury and making it worse, which could put Embiid's availability for the rest of the playoffs in doubt. At the same time, they need him on the court if they want to beat the Celtics and advance to the next round.
There's no denying that Embiid is one of the best players in the NBA when he's healthy. He's a dominant force on both ends of the court, with the ability to score inside and outside, rebound at a high level, and protect the rim with his shot-blocking skills. He's also a leader on the court, with the ability to inspire his teammates and raise their level of play.
If the Sixers are going to win this series, they need Embiid to be at his best. They need him to score at least 25 points per game, grab double-digit rebounds, and anchor their defense in the paint. They also need him to be a vocal leader on the court, inspiring his teammates and keeping them focused on the task at hand.
The Celtics, for their part, will be looking to exploit Embiid's injury if they can. They'll likely try to attack him early and often, testing his ability to move laterally and jump off of his injured knee. They'll also look to draw fouls on him, knowing that the Sixers will be reluctant to play him too many minutes if he's in foul trouble.
Despite the injury concerns, the Sixers are still the favorites to win this series. They have a talented roster, with players like Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and Seth Curry all capable of stepping up and making big plays when needed. They also have a deep bench, with players like George Hill, Dwight Howard, and Matisse Thybulle all capable of making an impact on the game.
In the end, however, it will likely come down to Joel Embiid. If he can play at a high level despite his injury, the Sixers will be tough to beat. If he's limited in any way, however, the Celtics could pull off an upset and send the Sixers home early.
Keywords: Joel Embiid, Sixers, Celtics, NBA playoffs, knee injury, health, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, Seth Curry, George Hill, Dwight Howard, Matisse Thybulle.
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