N.B.A. Jump to a neglected start and a Celtic victory

"They have playmakers, they have shooters – they're just built for playoffs," said Brown.

The 76ers are considered one of Boston's two biggest opponents in the after-LeBron James East alongside Toronto, thanks largely to starry duo Embiid and Ben Simmons and the momentum gained by Philadelphia last season in a campaign of 52 victories.

Do not forget that the 76ers have won their last 16 regular season games in the playoffs. That night, however, Philadelphia recorded its 15th loss in its 17 regular season games with the Celtics, while only Simmons (19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists) managed to reach Jason Tatum's level.

Starting from his second season in Boston, and with Irving and Hayward occupying a pre-dominant spot in the pre-game, Tatum had 23 points and nine effective rebounds. Al Horford, meanwhile, became the first Celtic since Kevin McHale in November 1990 to block five throws in the first game of the season in Boston, relieving hosts on the defensive as they beat Philadelphia to 39, 1%.

Embiid finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, but veteran Horford forced him to work for every ounce of this attack thanks to his shrewd resistance during their skirmishes.

While cleaning his booth in the visitors' dressing room, Embiid acknowledged that he wanted to beat the Celtics as much as any other team he could face following the release of the return match of Philadelphia's second round in Boston on last spring. However, Brown's praises resonated with Embiid's usual boastfulness when he was questioned about the many challenges posed by the Celtics.

"I want to beat them bad," said Embiid. "We have to find a way. But it's true, they are stacked. "

Regarding Tatum in particular, Embiid put the superlatives together on a rival for a change, saying, "He's a special man. He's fine for years. "

It's dangerous to try to draw more in-depth conclusions just 48 minutes from the 82-match schedule, but it's a legitimate problem for Philadelphia in the short term – before it's over. can not really worry about the reduction of the gap in Boston – remains in the state of sophomore. guard Markelle Fultz.