Embiid out game 1; will play Game 2

[Vermont Green]

Teams often play inspired when a top player is out, you see this all the time.  MIL had that affect in game 2 vs. MIA.  But it tends to only last 1 game.  If Embiid is out for multiple games, it is a major advantage for the Celtics.  That doesn't mean we can let down of course and that is where this team has created problems for itself.  The team tends to let down, take the foot off the gas, not have a killer instinct, what ever cliché you prefer. 

That is the challenge they need to set for themselves.  Take care of business with no letdowns.  Zero tolerance policy.  I don't care if we are up big in a game, in the series, whatever.  Prove to your self and to the league that you can play hard through the finish line, make it a personal and collective challenge.

I know it sounds like even more cliché but having these let downs, not closing out games, this is the only thing that can stop the Celtics in the series and all the way to the title.  It is really that simple.

[Phantom255x]

People on NBA Reddit seem to think this is the Sixers trying to "Kawhi it". Keep saying he's day-to-day but in reality deep down they know he's not playing this series and the injury is bad. We'll see.

I have a feeling if PHI falls behind 2-0 or even 3-0, they might rule him out. I know conventional wisdom may say Embiid returns with the Sixers down 2-0 knowing they need a spark, but I wonder if deep down Philly and even Embiid himself know if they fall behind 2-0, it's likely over so why risk making the injury far more serious.

[Big333223]

I have the same concerns as everyone else. The Celtics showed us in round 1 that they haven't matured to the point where they've stopped taking games for granted so if Embiid is out, I'm not totally confident they'll go out and play the way we all know they can and put the Sixers away.

That said, without Embiid the Sixers have no one to protect the rim. If he's hurt or slowed down and the Celtics attack the basket, they could put the Sixers away faster than they did the Hawks. But that requires the Celtics to play up to their potential.

[scaryjerry]

Celtics have a better chance winning the game if Embiid were to play…just my opinion.

[gouki88]

Celtics have a better chance winning the game if Embiid were to play…just my opinion.

Historically, maybe. This season Embiid has averaged 37/12/4 against us in 4 games, shooting 61% from the field. He also averages over 11 FTAs against us this season, at 87%. He has dominated us this season, including a 52 point game most recently in April.

I would rather not deal with that

[celticinorlando]

Celtics have a better chance winning the game if Embiid were to play…just my opinion.

Who is going to them his 35 plus points and 10 plus rebounds? No to mention the amount of FTs he shoots?

[scaryjerry]

Celtics have a better chance winning the game if Embiid were to play…just my opinion.

Historically, maybe. This season Embiid has averaged 37/12/4 against us in 4 games, shooting 61% from the field. He also averages over 11 FTAs against us this season, at 87%. He has dominated us this season, including a 52 point game most recently in April.

I would rather not deal with that

What was our record against them with him averaging those numbers? Maybe that was our game plan? Let him get his and contain everyone else…either way I don’t want the Celtics to compete against a 6ers team without their best player…I take absolutely nothing from that and give them 0 credit for it.

[gouki88]

Celtics have a better chance winning the game if Embiid were to play…just my opinion.

Historically, maybe. This season Embiid has averaged 37/12/4 against us in 4 games, shooting 61% from the field. He also averages over 11 FTAs against us this season, at 87%. He has dominated us this season, including a 52 point game most recently in April.

I would rather not deal with that

What was our record against them with him averaging those numbers? Maybe that was our game plan? Let him get his and contain everyone else…either way I don’t want the Celtics to compete against a 6ers team without their best player…I take absolutely nothing from that and give them 0 credit for it.

I don't care who we compete against. I want the easiest route to the Finals possible. It is all about #18

[scaryjerry]

Celtics have a better chance winning the game if Embiid were to play…just my opinion.

Historically, maybe. This season Embiid has averaged 37/12/4 against us in 4 games, shooting 61% from the field. He also averages over 11 FTAs against us this season, at 87%. He has dominated us this season, including a 52 point game most recently in April.

I would rather not deal with that

What was our record against them with him averaging those numbers? Maybe that was our game plan? Let him get his and contain everyone else…either way I don’t want the Celtics to compete against a 6ers team without their best player…I take absolutely nothing from that and give them 0 credit for it.

I don't care who we compete against. I want the easiest route to the Finals possible. It is all about #18

Eh, I want banner 18 too but id prefer they earn it by beating fully healthy good teams.

[Phantom255x]

Embiid listed as doubtful for tomorrow. I don't think he plays.

C's injury report is empty outside of the usual Gallinari (ACL rehab)

[PAOBoston]

Imagine how frustrated 76ers fans must be with this guy’s injury history. Feels like he gets hurt every playoffs with something. It’s like Timelord but he’s their #1 guy.

[celticinorlando]

Celtics have a better chance winning the game if Embiid were to play…just my opinion.

Historically, maybe. This season Embiid has averaged 37/12/4 against us in 4 games, shooting 61% from the field. He also averages over 11 FTAs against us this season, at 87%. He has dominated us this season, including a 52 point game most recently in April.

I would rather not deal with that

What was our record against them with him averaging those numbers? Maybe that was our game plan? Let him get his and contain everyone else…either way I don’t want the Celtics to compete against a 6ers team without their best player…I take absolutely nothing from that and give them 0 credit for it.

I don't care who we compete against. I want the easiest route to the Finals possible. It is all about #18

Eh, I want banner 18 too but id prefer they earn it by beating fully healthy good teams.

I don't care one bit about that. You play who they put on the floor.

[Vermont Green]

Celtics have a better chance winning the game if Embiid were to play…just my opinion.

I don't see this.  Do you think Phoenix would have less chance of winning if Jokic were to get hurt?  Or the Lakers less chance if Curry gets hurt?  I get the impulse but this is not realistic, not for more than 1 game anyway.

The one aspect though is that the Celtics could let down if there is no Embiid.  That is the Celtic's Achille's heal.  They let down when they think "we got this".  So if your point is that the Celtics will be more likely to let down if Embiid doesn't play, I can agree with that but again, only for 1 game.

[tazzmaniac]

Celtics have a better chance winning the game if Embiid were to play…just my opinion.

I don't see this.  Do you think Phoenix would have less chance of winning if Jokic were to get hurt?  Or the Lakers less chance if Curry gets hurt?  I get the impulse but this is not realistic, not for more than 1 game anyway.

The one aspect though is that the Celtics could let down if there is no Embiid.  That is the Celtic's Achille's heal.  They let down when they think "we got this".  So if your point is that the Celtics will be more likely to let down if Embiid doesn't play, I can agree with that but again, only for 1 game.

Unless the Celts go stupid and chuck up 50 3-pointers having a very poor shooting night, I don't see how the Celts lose.  With Embiid out, the Celts ought to set a season low for 3-point attempts.  It ought to be a layup drill. 

[scaryjerry]

Celtics have a better chance winning the game if Embiid were to play…just my opinion.

I don't see this.  Do you think Phoenix would have less chance of winning if Jokic were to get hurt?  Or the Lakers less chance if Curry gets hurt?  I get the impulse but this is not realistic, not for more than 1 game anyway.

The one aspect though is that the Celtics could let down if there is no Embiid.  That is the Celtic's Achille's heal.  They let down when they think "we got this".  So if your point is that the Celtics will be more likely to let down if Embiid doesn't play, I can agree with that but again, only for 1 game.

It’s 2 things… 1. Celtics won’t play as well/take 6ers seriously without Embiid just based on their own history. 2. I’m not a Embiid believer, yes I know he’s gonna win mvp and put up numbers against us this year…I happen to think he’s a flopping loser…now he absolutely could prove me wrong in this series and if he does I’ll come out and say it but that’s where I stand today.