Boston Celtics (33-25, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (34-22, fifth in the Eastern Conference)
Philadelphia; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Philadelphia plays the Boston Celtics after Joel Embiid scored 40 points in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 103-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 76ers have gone 4-6 against division opponents. Philadelphia ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference in team defense, giving up only 105.2 points while holding opponents to 45.0% shooting.
The Celtics are 6-6 in division matchups. Boston averages 108.4 points while outscoring opponents by 4.8 points per game.
The teams play for the fourth time this season. The 76ers won the last matchup 111-99 on Jan. 15, with Embiid scoring 25 points points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Georges Niang is shooting 39.5% from beyond the arc with 1.9 made 3-pointers per game for the 76ers, while averaging 9.3 points. Embiid is averaging 33 points, 13 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.9 blocks over the last 10 games for Philadelphia.
Jayson Tatum is shooting 43.2% and averaging 25.7 points for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Boston.
LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 7-3, averaging 107.9 points, 42.4 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 6.7 steals and 6.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 102.9 points per game.
Celtics: 9-1, averaging 111.9 points, 51.8 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 7.2 steals and 6.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 94.3 points.
INJURIES: 76ers: James Harden: day to day (hamstring).
Celtics: Daniel Theis: day to day (trade pending).(AP)
(Photo credits to: Liberty Ballers)