The Boston Celtics, a team that has been pegged as favorites to win the Eastern Conference, opened the NBA season with a convincing 105-87 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers last night. Despite shooting just 43% from the floor as a team, five Celtics players scored in double-figures last night, including Jayson Tatum who led the way with 23 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 23 points and 10 rebounds while Ben Simmons flirted with a triple-double, posting 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, but it simply wasn't enough to hang with the Cs. After Boston's 18-point victory, the Sixers' All-Star center made it known that his squad isn't on the Celtics' level.
"This not a rivalry," Embiid said, per ESPN. "I don't know our record against them. But it's pretty bad. They always kick our ass. So this is not a rivalry."
As is tradition, Embiid also took to social media after the game. The caption of his post reads: "Tough start but “Jalen Rose” more to go #TheProcess #81."
The Sixers will return to the court on Thursday night for their home-opener against the Chicago Bulls. Meanwhile, the Celtics will head north of the border for a Friday night matchup against Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors.
Check out some of the highlights from last night's NBA season-opener in the posts embedded below.
https://twitter.com/_/status/1052366934304575488
https://twitter.com/_/status/1052364336256172032
https://twitter.com/_/status/1052362553165340672