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The 2020-21 NBA season continues with one of its most exciting matchups between two Eastern Conference rivals as the 8-4 Boston Celtics take on the 9-5 Philadelphia 76ers.
It will be a clash of heavyweights as both teams are among the favorites to win the East this campaign. The two sides have been battling for the top spot, and their duel will be nothing short of high octane showdown between two powerhouses.
Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Predictions: Watch out for this combined starting 5
The Boston Celtics are coming off a disappointing loss to the New York Knicks 105-75. The game saw the return of Kemba Walker, who was on a strict minutes restriction. The Celtics came out with a low-energy performance.
Outside of Jaylen Brown, who had the team-high 25 points, the rest of the Celtics unit did not seem engaged in the matchup. That said, the Celtics will put that loss behind them and come out with purpose in their clash with the Sixers.
Like the Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers dropped their last game to the Memphis Grizzlies 106-104. Although, the Sixers were short-handed as they were missing main man Joel Embiid. That said, the big man from Cameroon is expected to return to the court for their matchup with the Celtics.
On that note, here is our combined starting 5 for the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Point Guard - Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)
Ben Simmons is one of the most unique point guards in the league today. He does not have the gift of a long-range game but uses his size and physicality to drive to the basket. It has worked wonders for him and has made him a star in the league.
Simmons needs to develop his game further to be a difference-maker come playoff time. That said, Simmons is an all-around talent as he can clean up the boards and find the open man for the dish. He will play at the point in our hypothetical list of combined five for the Celtics and the 76ers.
This season, Simmons is averaging 12.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in twelve games. He is shooting 50% from the floor and 20% from beyond the arc.
Shooting Guard - Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
Jaylen Brown has been the X-factor for the Boston Celtics this season. He turned things around in the 2019-2020 NBA season by steadily improving his production from the floor. He has continued to dazzle this campaign and is playing the best basketball of his life.
Brown is just 24-years-old and is brimming with potential. He will come in at the shooting guard position on our list. This season, he is averaging 25.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in twelve games. Brown is shooting 52% from the floor and 40% from beyond the arc.
Small Forward - Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
Jayson Tatum is the centerpiece of this Celtics unit and has become the face of the organization. He is their leader on the floor and is not afraid to take the big shot down the stretch.
Like Jaylen Brown, Tatum has been leveling up his game over the last two seasons and earned his first All-Star appearance last year. He remains the Celtics' best bet to take them to the NBA Finals in the coming seasons. Tatum comes in at the small forward position, where he would fit well in the backcourt with Simmons and Brown.
This season, he is averaging 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in ten games. Jayson Tatum is shooting 47.4% from the floor and 43.8% from beyond the arc.
Power Forward - Tobias Harris (Philadelphia 76ers)
Tobias Harris is a great wing player and makes his team better with his all-around game. Tobias remains vital to the Philadelphia 76ers lineup and is expected to help them make a deeper run in the playoffs this season.
Harris is known to be a savvy scorer who can impact the game with this athleticism. Tobias will come in at the power forward position in our hypothetical combined starting five.
This season, Tobias Harris is averaging 19.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in eleven games, while shooting 50% from the floor and 43% from beyond the arc.
Center - Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
Joel Embiid is arguably the best center in the league today. He has been playing phenomenal basketball, and it reflects in the Philadelphia 76ers season record. Embiid is a dominating big man who bullies teams with his size and feel for the game. The three-time All-Star has been tearing it up this campaign with important contributions on both ends of the floor.
Embiid is leading his side in points, rebounds, and blocks this campaign. He is averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks in eleven games thus far. Embiid would start at the center position in our combined starting five.
