76ers Missing Backup Center, Celtics at Full Strength for High-Stakes Game

The Philadelphia 76ers (9-2) are facing their third top-five Eastern Conference team in four games, as they take on the Boston Celtics (8-2) Tuesday night at 8:00 PM ET. This is the first matchup between the two since the Jaylen Brown-Paul George trade. The two rivals are going to be in for a dogfight, and it will happen without a few players for the 76ers.

Here is the injury report for the 76ers-Celtics:

76ERS

Dominick Barlow - Out: Low Back Stress Reaction

Adem Bona - Out: Cervical Spine Sprain

Ariel Hukporti - Out: Right Achilles Tendon Rupture / Tear

CELTICS

Devin Carter - Out: G League - Two-Way

Christopher Cenac Jr. - Available: G League - On Assignment

Dillon Mitchell - Available: G League - Two-Way

Amari Williams - Out: G League - Two-Way

The 76ers are looking to go 3-1 over their last three and face one of the most potent three-point shooting teams in the NBA. What’s going to be the difference is how both teams attack the other on the inside. For Boston, the 76ers hang their hat on their defense to help their offense and it’s going to be the thing the Celtics look to control. As for the 76ers, they would be susceptible to this due to the absence of Adem Bona, who’s still nursing a neck injury. 

Which means another opportunity for Jabari Walker to show what he can do. Barlow had a great game in his limited minutes, and he could be very important against the Celtics. Walker's ability to move outside the paint could get Boston into foul trouble, which means free points for Philadelphia. Now, his other attribute is his work as a rebounder. His energy allows him to get offensive rebounds and give this 76ers team second chances and neutralize the Celtics' desire to get out in transition for a possible three-point attempt.

Boston is coming into this game completely healthy, but they haven’t played a team like the 76ers, who share the Celtics' desire to score early and often. The starters for the 76ers will be available, and it may be the best thing for this matchup. Brown seems to be level-headed, and the matchup between Tatum and Brown is going to be one to pay very close attention to.

The 76ers' half-court offence is going to be what they have to try to get away from. Which really means let Embiid do his work in the paint and find his teammates. This team works best when they can get others involved. Bona’s absence could be an issue due to the size of the Celtics' bigs, but it could also be a liability, as he could be in foul trouble and put the 76ers in a tight bind. 

76ers will find out what they’re made of when they come home to take on the Celtics.