Celtics (0-0) at Sixers (0-0) Game #1 10/23/19

[Surferdad]

 Sixers are easily the most overrated team in the NBA.  Hey Simmons, let's see your jump shot, chump.

[bopna]

I'd start TimeLord over Theis on this one. See if he can use his six fouls early. Theis is a good spacer of a center but will be eaten alive by Embiid on D.

[footey]

Theis should get the start, based on the Orlando game where our starting unit was awesome.

[ChillyWilly]

I'd start TimeLord over Theis on this one. See if he can use his six fouls early. Theis is a good spacer of a center but will be eaten alive by Embiid on D.

Don't even think he's practicing yet.

[Androslav]

Theis should get the start, based on the Orlando game where our starting unit was awesome.

We need a big body at the center position.
Embiid feasted on Theis every time they played each other.
Too small, simple as that.

[Surferdad]

I'd start TimeLord over Theis on this one. See if he can use his six fouls early. Theis is a good spacer of a center but will be eaten alive by Embiid on D.

Don't even think he's practicing yet.

Both TL and Tacko are in the concussion protocol.  Don't expect to see them for this one.

[Who]

I'd start TimeLord over Theis on this one. See if he can use his six fouls early. Theis is a good spacer of a center but will be eaten alive by Embiid on D.

Don't even think he's practicing yet.

Both TL and Tacko are in the concussion protocol.  Don't expect to see them for this one.

Gotta start the big guy Poirier for this one. Need his size against Embiid.

[ChillyWilly]

I'd start TimeLord over Theis on this one. See if he can use his six fouls early. Theis is a good spacer of a center but will be eaten alive by Embiid on D.

Don't even think he's practicing yet.

Both TL and Tacko are in the concussion protocol.  Don't expect to see them for this one.

Gotta start the big guy Poirier for this one. Need his size against Embiid.

Al is 6'9" and defends him well. Don't think you need a 7 footer on him. Keep him out of the paint requires more skill/scheme than size.

I'm willing to bet we see some Semi on him.

[Who]

I'd start TimeLord over Theis on this one. See if he can use his six fouls early. Theis is a good spacer of a center but will be eaten alive by Embiid on D.

Don't even think he's practicing yet.

Both TL and Tacko are in the concussion protocol.  Don't expect to see them for this one.

Gotta start the big guy Poirier for this one. Need his size against Embiid.

Al is 6'9" and defends him well. Don't think you need a 7 footer on him. Keep him out of the paint requires more skill/scheme than size.

I'm willing to bet we see some Semi on him.

Al is extremely strong and intelligent defender.

Theis is too weak. Rob Williams has not shown himself able to body up bigger centers yet. Kanter is strong but a dumb lazy defender.

That leaves Poirier. Only option left.

[seancally]

I'd start TimeLord over Theis on this one. See if he can use his six fouls early. Theis is a good spacer of a center but will be eaten alive by Embiid on D.

Don't even think he's practicing yet.

Both TL and Tacko are in the concussion protocol.  Don't expect to see them for this one.

Gotta start the big guy Poirier for this one. Need his size against Embiid.

Al is 6'9" and defends him well. Don't think you need a 7 footer on him. Keep him out of the paint requires more skill/scheme than size.

I'm willing to bet we see some Semi on him.

Al is extremely strong and intelligent defender.

Theis is too weak. Rob Williams has not shown himself able to body up bigger centers yet. Kanter is strong but a dumb lazy defender.

That leaves Poirier. Only option left.

Well we can only hope Al got old over the summer.

[seancally]

Also Rob Williams likely for tomorrow:

#NEBHInjuryReport Gordon Hayward (illness) practiced today. Robert Williams (concussion protocol) is likely to play tomorrow. Romeo Langford (knee pain) will not be available to play. Tacko Fall went through most of practice, but practice included minimal contact.

[BitterJim]

Well, it must be basketball season if we have game threads again! TP FL!

[CF033]

Am I crazy in thinking that the 76ers are the same if not just a little worse than they were last year? I know they have Al but they lost Butler and Redick. It's going to depend on if Simmons takes another step up IMO. Maybe they're better against us personally since we no longer have Al to defend Embiid but on the whole I'm not seeing a big improvement.

[Fierce1]

Am I crazy in thinking that the 76ers are the same if not just a little worse than they were last year? I know they have Al but they lost Butler and Redick. It's going to depend on if Simmons takes another step up IMO. Maybe they're better against us personally since we no longer have Al to defend Embiid but on the whole I'm not seeing a big improvement.

I agree with you about the Sixers being worse than last season.

Sixers right now are slower.

Celts will be too fast and too quick for the Sixers.

Al Horford guarding Jayson Tatum?

Come on!

[ETNCeltics]

The 6ers do have some weaknesses, but they have a lot of strengths. I can't fault anyone for making them the East favorite.

I think their biggest weakness is at closing time. Butler is gone, and Simmons can't shoot. I think we have the advantage if the game is within a possession or two in the final minutes.