Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia 76ers (21-34) play their final game before the All-Star break tonight in Boston against the Celtics (36-19). The Sixers will get Jahlil Okafor back after his two-game absence due to trade rumors while Joel Embiid did not travel with the team and isn't expected to play in any of the All-Star festivities this weekend, despite being selected to participate in the Rising Stars & Skills Challenges.
Philadelphia comes in winners of their last three while Boston has won 10 games in their last 11. They currently sit in the second spot in the Eastern Conference, 2.5 games back of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Last Meeting:
Al Horford scored 14 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, including a pivotal three-pointer down the stretch, leading Boston to a comeback 110-106 victory over the Sixers back in early January. The Sixers led by as many as 14 points in the first half, but the Celtics rallied in the second half and finally took the lead for good in the fourth. Two Embiid free throws put the sixers ahead 106-104 in the final minute, but Al Horford hit a wide-open three to give Boston the lead. Ersan Ilyasova failed to hit a go-ahead shot in the final seconds and Boston got the win. Embiid had 23 points while Ilyasova had 20. Gerald Henderson scored 18 off the bench while TJ McConnell handed out a career-high 17 assists in the loss.
Okafor rejoins Sixers after two-game absence, Noel will continue to start:
It seemed like a trade involving Jahlil Okafor was imminent this past week as the Sixers decided to sit him amid ongoing trade rumors that had the second-year big man likely heading to Chicago or New Orleans. Whether you like it or not, no move has been made and Okafor has re-joined the team in Boston for their final game prior to All-Star festivities this weekend.
“I will [play Okafor] and I appreciate to the outside world, it would seem bizarre and I get it,” Brown said of Okafor on the 94WIP Morning Show. “And in many ways, if I didn’t coach such good young guys and good young players, good people, this could never work.”
Nerlens Noel will continue to start though, according to Keith Pompey, while Okafor will come off the bench tonight against Boston. In seven games during the month of February, Noel is averaging 9.8 points on 58.7 percent shooting to go along with 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals.
Isaiah Thomas continues to dominate:
It's hard to believe that Isaiah Thomas was a 60th overall pick back in 2011, because what he's doing this year with the Celtics is something else. He's averaging career-highs in scoring (29.8ppg) and assists (6.4) per game, all while shooting nearly 47 percent from the floor. In February alone, Thomas is averaging 32.6 points (tied 2nd in NBA) and 6.1 assists. In 13 games against the Sixers in his career, he's averaging 22.9 points, 5.9 assists and 2.4 rebounds. TJ McConnell will be in charge of Thomas, who scored 24 points on 6-for-14 shooting in the last meeting against Philadelphia.
Previous Game Rewind:
Sixers: Hornets forward Nicolas Batum guaranteed a victory for his team on Monday and didn't back up his words as the Sixers emerged victorious, 105-99. The Sixers led by as many as 14 in the fourth, but Charlotte cut the lead to five with less than a minute to go. Batum's three pointer fell short in attempt to shave the lead down to two and Philadelphia escaped with the win. The Sixers got a great effort from Dario Saric, as the Croatian forward tallied a double double, 18 points and 11 rebounds. Philadelphia out-rebounded the Hornets 51-33.
Celtics: Boston is coming off of a 111-98 win against the Mavericks on the road. The Celtics led by just one entering the fourth, but a 12-2 run led by seven points from Kelly Olynyk helped Boston earn the victory. Olynyk converted on three layup attempts before draining a three-pointer. Isaiah Thomas followed with a triple of his own to extend the C's lead to 11 late in the game. Thomas finished with 29 points and eight assists while Marcus Smart contributed with 19.
| Matchup Preview | February 15, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Philadelphia 76ers (21-34, 8-18 Away) |
Boston Celtics (36-19, 19-8 Home) |
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Game Information:
Tip-off: 7:30 p.m.
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
