Exactly two years ago, the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers were essentially equals. They were equals not in franchise prestige or necessarily equals in future outlooks. For that present moment and for that current season, they were in terms of the NBA Standings and in talent on their roster.
Each team was in a crossroads of which direction to take their franchise. Boston had fading veterans from which they were moving on, and Philadelphia did not think their current core was good enough with which to move forward. They were each rebuilding, and at the time it was somewhat interesting to see how each team would take the task. They were starting at the same start line, June 2013, with the obvious finish line, or at least final stretch of the race, would be returning to contention and eventually a championship.
Two years later, as the two are set to open the NBA season, in much different spots on the course. Philadelphia has won 37 games over the past two seasons, finishing with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. Boston also finished with the second-worst record in the East—among playoff participants. There they were last spring, in the Eastern Conference playoffs playing against LeBron James—with Evan Turner being a major contributor.
As we enter the 2015-16 season, it appears the two teams, at least for the time being, will continue to have separation between them grow. Boston is expected to make the playoffs again this season, and Philadelphia is not expected to win 20 games.
The pair serves as a reminder that in the NBA there is no perfect blueprint to team construction, nor is there an exact timeline. Boston, as fans will see tonight, has a host of solid complementary and role players, while the Sixers are holding out for the big lottery ticket-type players.
For now, though, the on-court separation in present time will be quite clear.
Game Notes:
- Last season, Boston owned Philadelphia. They earned a series sweep for the first time in six years. In their four victories, the C’s outscored the Sixers by an average of nearly 15 points per contest.
- Philadelphia has the 4th-best Opening Night winning percentage in NBA history, having gone 41-25 (.621) in their first games. Brett Brown is 1-1 in his tenure.
- The 76ers’ opening roster has only one player born before 1990 on it: Carl Landry.
- Boston will get to open the season with Isaiah Thomas, whom they acquired last February. He averaged 19.0 points per game in Boston in under 26 minutes nightly.
Injuries:
Philadelphia: Robert Covington (right knee sprain) is out. Nik Stauskas (right leg) will be a game-time decision. Covington hurt his knee in the last preseason game, also against the Celtics in Boston. Brown said he believes the second-year pro will play.
Boston: No injuries to report.
Projected Lineups:
Philadelphia:
PG- Isaiah Canaan
F- JaKarr Sampson
F- Hollis Thompson
F- Nerlens Noel
C- Jahlil Okafor
Boston:
PG- Marcus Smart
SG- Avery Bradley
SF- Jae Crowder
PF- David Lee
C- Tyler Zeller
Prediction: Boston is going to be a good team, bolsetered by their addition of David Lee. Philadelphia is a very incomplete and banged-up team. I expect more dominance from the C’s, as a continuation from last season, and for them to win this one easily, 111-89.
