Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe has been named a finalist for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award.

Edgecombe averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 75 appearances, all starts.

The ball movement was inconsistent, the perimeter shooting terrible and the defense somehow even worse. Boston leads 33-18 at the end of 1.

Maxey has 9 on 3-9 shooting. Sixers are shooting 1-9 from 3 as a team.

For Boston, Tatum has 10 on 5-7 shooting, with the Cs shooting 56% from the field.

Since returning from the strained tendon in the pinky of his shooting hand, Tyrese Maxey is shooting just 22.5% on pull-up 3s. If the Sixers are going to have a chance, they need him to punish Boston's drop coverage.

Thoughts on that, and more, below. 👇

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics first round primer - PHLY Sports The Sixers will square off against the Boston Celtics today to kick off their best-of-seven first-round series.

Sixers vs Celtics first round primer!

An overview of the Boston Celtics, how they've changed since Tatum's return, diving into the head-to-head stats in the regular season series, and the keys if the Sixers are to make this series competitive.

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A big Moussa Diabate midrange jumper cuts Orlando's lead to 31 at the half as the Charlotte Hornets look to capture the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference.

Nick Nurse and Paul George weren't buying the Sixers' underdog status against Boston.

Nurse: "If we play really well and play our backsides off, then we should have a chance to do some stuff."

PG: "We've given them their respect. But at the end of the day, it's competition."

When asked if he was preparing as if Joel Embiid won't be available at all during the Sixers' series against the Celtics, Nick Nurse was non-committal, instead saying he was focused on the immediate task at hand for Game 1.

"I'm preparing for Sunday's game. I know he's not playing in that one."

Nick Nurse on the Boston Celtics: "They're hard to guard, man. They got an incredible offense."

"They shoot a ton of 3s. They've got a bunch of guys that can score 1-on-1, and they'll take you deep into the paint to do it.

"It's a tremendous challenge."

POSTGAME: Tyrese Maxey, 76ers CLINCH 7-SEED, Move On To Play Celtics | PHLY Sixers Podcast YouTube video by PHLY Sports

The Sixers downed the Orlando Magic and ARE HEADED TO THE PLAYOFFS.

Breaking down this big win, and looking ahead to the Boston Celtics, now with @devongivens.bsky.social .

Come celebrate with us.

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After tonight's 109-97 win over the Orlando Magic, the Philadelphia 76ers will play the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.

Game 1 is Sunday in Boston.

Tyrese Maxey with a personal 7-0 run to put the Sixers up by 8 with 6:24 left to play.

Maxey is up to 29 points on 10-24 shooting.

Nice 9-2 run by the Sixers to close the first half after the Magic had briefly taken a 3-point lead, which puts the Sixers up 59-55 at the break.

Tyrese Maxey leads the Sixers with 16 points on 5-12 shooting. Desmond Bane has 19 on just 8 shots (8-9 from the line) to lead both teams.

WATCHALONG: Philadelphia 76ers Vs. Orlando Magic Play-in | PHLY Sixers Podcast YouTube video by PHLY Sports

Come put us on a second screen and chat about the game with us!

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Sixers lead 28-24 at the end of 1.

Not a ton of offense from either team, with the Magic shooting just 37.5% from the field and the Sixers a blazing 40%.

A big quarter from Kelly Oubre Jr, though, who has 9 points on 3-7 shooting, with all the makes coming from deep.

Sixers starters:
Tyrese Maxey
VJ Edgecombe
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Paul George
Adem Bona

The Sixers had their three max contract stars available just 21 times this season.

Here's a very ugly graph to showcase how ludicrous this is.

Johni Broome was a full participant in practice today.

Paul George, on how he feels physically:

"To start the year out not all the way 100, but then end the year closer to 100...It's just a huge weight lifted off my shoulders that I can just go out and focus on basketball, and not focus on the rehab."

Paul George talked about celebrating with this fan.

"Initially, it was like no way he's got a Paul George jersey on. Sure enough, he had a Paul George jersey on."

"To be able to share that moment with him was special. He made a hell of a shot."

Nick Nurse and Tyrese Maxey broke down the Orlando Magic, who the Sixers will face in the play-in tournament on Wednesday.

"Big wings and aggressive guards....Very good, very talented team."

"They're a tough team...They have very good talent and they're well-coached."

When talking about what Tyrese Maxey means for the Sixers, VJ Edgecombe, talking about his consistency, yelled across the room to ask Tyrese Maxey how many games he played this year.

Maxey: "I have no idea...But I know I played in 65!"

Boston beat Orlando and Toronto beat Brooklyn, so the Sixers will play the Magic in the 7/8 play-in game.

The winner of that game will get the 7th seed and play the Celtics in the first round. The loser plays the winner of the 9/10 play-in game in a single-elimination game for the 8th seed.

Nick Nurse, looking back on the regular season:
"As choppy as it was injury wise, I'm glad we were able to handle that a lot better."

"I'm pretty proud of them for hanging in there and battling adversity. I think we have a lot of ceiling to go yet."

Nick Nurse, on playing the Magic in the play-in game:
"Physical team. Big wings and aggressive guards. Suggs and Bane are two competitive, physical guys back there...They've been one of many teams in the league that hasn't been very healthy this year, so it's gonna be a tough game."

Final: Sixers beat the Bucks 126-106 and finish the season with a 45-37 record.

If the Celtics hold on (they lead by 10 with 6:55 left), the Sixers will host the Magic in the 7/8 play-in game.

Boston outscored Orlando 42-20 in the 3rd and holds a 13 point lead heading into the 4th.

Toronto is up 14 on the Nets with 2:51 left in the 3rd.

Boston has taken a 4 point lead on the Magic midway through 3rd.

If these outcomes don't change -- and there's still a lot of time left in that BOS/ORL matchup -- the Sixers would host the Magic in the 7/8 play-in game.

Sixers outscored Bucks 38-16 in the 3rd, and hold a commanding 96-78 lead with 12 minutes left.

Maxey had 16 on 7-8 shooting in the 3rd, after shooting 1-5 in the first half. Justin Edwards had 9 points in a 5 minute 3rd quarter run.

Always said the Sixers were a great 3rd quarter team.