Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers

The lights are bright at Xfinity Mobile Arena as Mike Tirico and Reggie Miller call the action for a pivotal Game 4 that finds the Philadelphia 76ers fighting to square this series against a Boston Celtics squad that looks increasingly like a juggernaut. While the 76ers showed plenty of heart in their Game 2 steal, the cold reality of their current roster limitations is starting to catch up with them in this physical postseason environment.

The most glaring issue for Philadelphia is the absolute demolition occurring on the glass. Without their primary interior anchor, the Sixers are allowing Boston to secure 31.4% of their own offensive rebounds in this series. In Game 3, that translated directly into 22 second-chance points for the Celtics. It is hard enough to beat a team with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown—who combined for 50 points last game—when you play them even on possessions; it is nearly impossible when you are handing them 15 extra looks at the basket. This physical disadvantage is compounded by a fresh injury to Kelly Oubre Jr., whose adductor soreness leaves his status in doubt. If Oubre is limited or sidelined, Philadelphia loses a vital 14-point scorer and a versatile wing defender, forcing even more pressure onto rookie V.J. Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey.

Boston’s depth is the final hammer in this matchup. While Maxey and Edgecombe have been heroic, accounting for nearly 45% of Philly's playoff scoring, the Celtics are getting elite production from their second unit, which boasts a +8.5 Net Rating in the postseason compared to the Sixers' -3.9. Boston has been dictating a slow, half-court pace of 94.4 possessions that plays right into their elite defensive hands, where they’ve held the 76ers to a stifling 105.1 Defensive Rating over the last five games. Eight points is a significant number, but given the massive rebounding gap and the fresh concerns surrounding Oubre’s availability, the Celtics have too many paths to a comfortable win. Take the more complete team to cover on the road.