James Harden Lays Out Keys for 76ers Ahead of Game 1 vs. Celtics

On Monday, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics will battle it out for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Although the Sixers haven’t made a final decision on Joel Embiid’s status for the game, the team is leaning toward not playing him.

If Embiid indeed misses Game 1 against the Celtics, a lot will be riding on the veteran point guard James Harden to take command on offense as the Sixers would be missing a six-time All-Star, who led the league in scoring for the second-straight season.

“Was hoping we would get enough time for Big Fella to get back and be ready for Game 1,” Harden said on Sunday before the Sixers took off to Boston. “A little adversity, just getting ready to go out there and play well for Game 1.”

Based on Harden’s comments, it seems the Sixers have prepared to play without Embiid throughout the entire week. As Philadelphia heads into a much tougher series coming off of a sweep in the first round against the Nets, Harden lays out the blueprint for the Sixers’ success on Monday.

“Get off to a really good start, and just give them four quarters of toughness on both ends of the ball,” Harden explained. “Offensively attacking, generating really good shots, and then defensively making it difficult for everybody.”

Defensively, the Sixers will have their hands full with the Celtics, who possess two All-Stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. However, Harden made it clear that Boston’s depth will make it difficult for Philly’s defense to zero in on those two.

“We can’t just say J-Tatum and Brown because they got some really good role players as well,” Harden added. “It’s gonna have to be a really good game for us.”

The Sixers have found success this season without Embiid, holding an 11-5 record in the regular season and winning one playoff game in his absence. Knowing what worked for them in the past, Harden is hammering down offensive aggressiveness as a key for Game 1.

“[We have to] be more aggressive for sure,” he finished. “Be more aggressive. We got to generate points. So, just get to the basket, shoot my shot, and just be more aggressive.”

The Sixers struggled against the Celtics this season, winning just one of four matchups. In the game they won, Joel Embiid led the team with 52 points against a shorthanded Celtics team.

Fortunately for the Sixers, the record resets in the playoffs. While history doesn’t bode well for Philadelphia against Boston, Harden, and the Sixers hope that early aggressiveness will help them gain a leg-up in the series with a Game 1 win.

The Sixers and the Celtics are set to tip-off at 7:30 PM ET.