Opening Game vs. Philly Prediction

[footey]

I have watched both teams' pre-season games, and feel that Philly looks awkward with Al and Embiid on the floor at the same time.  I think the Sixers look good on paper like last year's Celtics, but that the pieces don't really fit. I really like our team chemistry. We also have a better bench.

Celtics by 8!

How about you?

[Surferdad]

National pundits are overrating the Sixers, IMO.  They lost Butler and Reddick which is going to hurt.

Will Horford be used to "load manage" Embiid?

I think Sixers win on Wednesday based on it being their home opener, but then go into a season-long tailspin starting Friday.

[RJ87]

I think unless we get Embiid in foul trouble, no one's gonna be able to stop him in the paint or secure a rebound. Ultimately, it'll be a loss. Won't be a blowout, but we won't really be in it either.

[Rosco917]

Philly lost a great deal of scoring with the loss of Butler and Reddick. And right now the bench isn't very good either, actually worse than last year. They need another shooter. The loss of Horford hurt us actually more than it helped them IMO. Al isn't a big scorer, as we have seen.

The Celtics are predicted to be weak defensively in the paint, (especially on the pick and roll) and lack a solid power forward. But we should be a potent offensive unit with a solid bench. I'm hoping to see a scrappy unit on defense, playing at a faster pace on offense than last year, which should increase the over all number of shots taken. A good thing!

Celtics by 4. 

[tstorey_97]

TP to footey for thread.

Philly rarely pays the Celtics well. Not sure why, it's just this group of 76'ers has a tough time figuring out the Celtics.

On paper, they should beat the Celtics, but, they lack several answers to what the Celtics have at both ends.

I agree C's bench, has the potential to be lethal and not sure about Philly.

No answer for Embiid, but, there's a bunch of other guys on the court too.

Walker hits a free throw to win it in OT.

 

[jambr380]

Poll! Poll! Poll! 

Anyway, Cs by 12. It will be somewhat close through 3 quarters and then the Cs will pull away while Embiid is gasping for air behind half-court.

And if they don't win, no biggie - a lot of new faces and I have no doubt this team will surprise this year!

[Moranis]

Embiid is healthy, which means Philly should win this game and should win fairly easily as Boston has no one that can even slow him down.  Later in the year when Embiid isn't 100% and the season starts to take its toll, I think Boston will do better, but opening night I expect Embiid to have a field day and Philly to win easily.  Not a blowout, but a game never really in doubt either.

[gift]

I haven't watched Philly in the preseason, but my impression of the Horford addition is that it helps with the depth more than increases the ceiling of their starting rotation. Horford and Embiid are best at the same position in my opinion.

[footey]

I think Kanter will play a lot, although not start.  He had a monster game vs Philly on Christmas two seasons ago; outplayed Embiid (and Porzingis).  Different teams, different year, I know. Just a hunch.

[ChillyWilly]

Just don't get blown out and take the wind out of my sails. This was a very long offseason for me!!!!

As for my predictions:

• I will scream at refs through my TV
• I will hate everyone of ALs picks
• Draper will say something ridiculous

[slamtheking]

I think Al and Embiid will do a tune on Boston's front court while Brown/Hayward/Tatum do a tune on Philly's wings.  Kemba/Simmons will be a wash I think but I also think Smart will drive Simmons and their other guards nuts.

in the end, I think Philly wins their opener by 8.

[PhoSita]

I expect Philly to be impressive defensively.  I expect they will make the Celts look small inside.

I also expect that Philly will look like a major work in progress offensively.  Their lack of reliable shooting will be an issue.  They'll brick a lot of shots. 

The Celts will take a lot of outside jumpers, too many in fact.  We will come away from the game worrying that the offense this year will be a redux of last year at least in the sense of not having enough balance inside.  However the Celts will look a lot quicker and more cohesive than the Sixers.  The Sixers lack of bench depth will be a problem, too.

Overall I would expect a relatively close game that the Sixers win by a few possessions, mostly on the strength of points in the paint and free throws.

[bdm860]

Ben Simmons hits as many or more 3's than all C's rookies combined.

[PhoSita]

Ben Simmons hits as many or more 3's than all C's rookies combined.

that's quite a prediction

[fairweatherfan]

I think we're gonna start off pretty close, have a sloppy stretch where we fall behind, then scrap and claw our way back late before ultimately falling short by 5-8 points. Defensive rebounding will be what ultimately buries us.