Chowder and Champions
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Boston Celtics: 3 thoughts and concerns from win over 76ers

By Joe DeFerrari

BOSTON, MA - MAY 9: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket past Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 9, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 9: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket past Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 9, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Three thoughts about the Boston Celtics opener against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers on opening night 105-87. Boston led by five at halftime, then pulled away midway through the third quarter. They did so despite shooting only 43 percent from the field and 30 percent from deep.

While Boston has won ten straight home games against Philadelphia (and Joel Embiid remarked that this isn’t a rivalry until Philadelphia is able to get up to Boston’s level), the away team displayed why they’re considered a threat to Boston.

The Celtics forced Embiid into a relatively poor shooting night (9-21 from the field, 1-4 from deep) and he struggled with turnovers, but he still had a tremendous impact on both sides of the floor. Ben Simmons put up big stats (19 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists) and regularly displayed his crazy athleticism and passing ability.

But the 76ers have nowhere near the impressive depth that the Boston Celtics have, and that’s what ultimately made the difference. J.J. Redick was their only bench player to score more than five points; four Celtics not only did that, but did a variety of positive things to start living up to their “bench with attitude” moniker.

Both teams still have a lot to figure out. But after months of speculating on ridiculous hypotheticals and picking apart summer league footage that was as much a Red Claws showcase as a Boston Celtics one, analyzing an actual game is a treat.

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