Embiid leads Philadelphia into matchup with Boston
Boston Celtics (35-21, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (36-20, fourth in the Eastern Conference)
Philadelphia; Tuesday, 8 p.m. Eastern
BOTTOM LINE: Joel Embiid leads Philadelphia into a matchup against Boston. He ranks sixth in the NBA averaging 27.4 points per game.
The 76ers are 5-7 against division opponents. Philadelphia is the top team in the Eastern Conference with 27.4 assists per game, led by Ben Simmons averaging 8.0.
The Celtics are 25-10 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston ranks second in the Eastern Conference with 16.6 fast break points per game, led by Kyrie Irving averaging 3.5. The Celtics won the last meeting between these two teams 121-114 on Dec. 25. Irving led Boston to the win with a 40-point performance.
TOP PERFORMERS: JJ Redick leads the 76ers with 3.1 made 3-pointers and averages 18.7 points while shooting 39.4 percent from beyond the arc. T.J. McConnell is shooting 57.9 percent and has averaged 6.5 points over the last 10 games for Philadelphia.
Marcus Smart is second on the Celtics with 4.1 assists and scores 8.2 points. Jayson Tatum has averaged 16.7 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 47.9 percent over the last 10 games for Boston.
LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 7-3, averaging 116.9 points, 44.9 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 9.7 steals and seven blocks per game while shooting 48.9 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.1 points on 44.7 percent shooting.
76ers: 6-4, averaging 117.7 points, 44.2 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 9.1 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.9 points on 47.5 percent shooting.
76ers Injuries: Shake Milton: out (finger), Zhaire Smith: out (foot).
Celtics Injuries: Aron Baynes: out (foot), Kyrie Irving: out (strained right knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by HERO Sports, and data from Sportradar.