Daily News | Sixers shooting for first 2-0 Eastern Conference semifinals series advantage since 1985
The Sixers have a chance to take a 2-0 Eastern Conference semifinal advantage for the first time in 38 seasons. They’ll look to accomplish that feat against the Boston Celtics at 8 p.m. Wednesday at TD Garden.
“We got to just win,” coach Doc Rivers said. “I don’t think about the 1-0. That’s over, at least for me, and that’s with our players. We got to focus on tomorrow. What does 1-0 get you? It gets you 1-0, I guess.James Harden torched Boston with a game-high 45 points, tying a postseason career-high with seven three-pointers.
“We got to believe that they are going to play better,” Rivers said. “And I talk about that all the time. The golf Tiger Woods thing. Like I expect them to play great and expect to win, yourself. That’s what we talk about every day.”The Celtics want to manage the game better throughout. Boston had a 62-50 advantage with 3 minutes, 31 seconds before intermission. The Sixers closed out the half with a 13-4 run to cut the lead to three points.
The Sixers don’t expect center Joel Embiid to return for Game 2, according to Rivers. The presumptive MVP is sidelined with a sprained right knee. They’re not as concerned about his absence as much as one would think. And they’re 13-5 this season in games he’s missed.
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