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Joel Embiid takes step towards returning for playoff series vs. Celtics
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- Joel Embiid takes step towards returning for playoff series vs. Celtics
BOSTON -- 76ers star center Joel Embiid took a step towards returning for the team's first-round series against the Celtics on Monday.
The team announced that Embiid has started a strength and conditioning program as he recovers from an emergency appendectomy performed after his appendicitis on April 9. Embiid has not played since suffering the ailment in Houston two and a half weeks ago.
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The Sixers have played without Embiid for the majority of the regular season, with the big man active for just 38 regular season games. He averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists over 31 minutes per game before undergoing surgery. Without him available, Philadelphia played Adem Bona , Andre Drummond and Dominic Barlow at center in a blowout loss to the Celtics in Game 1.
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BETTING:The over/under for Tuesday's Game 2 between the Celtics and the Sixers is currently set at 216.5 total points on BetMGM . Our comprehensive BetMGM Sportsbook review makes it easy to figure out how to use their site.
The Sixers will likely need to win at least one game without Embiid to extend the series long enough for a potential return. Boston will be looking to contain Sixers star and Tyrese Maxey well again after an ugly shooting performance in Game 1 in which Philadelphia shot just 4-of-23 from 3-point range.
"There was some [shots] that they just missed wide open ones, and so it's a balance of both," Joe Mazzulla said at practice Monday. "That's some of the stuff we've got to work on, here's where we're going, and that goes back to kind of the process, right? Like whether the shot went in or not, was it a good defensive possession, whether the shot went in or not, was it a good offensive possession. You can win and play poorly, you can lose and play great. We just got to have an understanding of when we're at our best, have an understanding of where we can be better, and, be ready, knowing that they'll play much better next game."
Embiid is not expected to be available as the Celtics host the 76ers for Game 2 of their series on Tuesday night at TD Garden with a tip at 7 p.m.
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