The Celtics are looking to topple the Philadelphia 76ers to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Boston Celtics will visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night (8 p.m. ET) as they look to wrap up their Eastern Conference first round series in six games.
The Celtics, who lead 3-2, were unable to win the series in five games, losing to the 76ers in Boston on Tuesday night.
If the Celtics are going to finish the job on Thursday, here are five things we want to see:
More Payton Pritchard
The shot-making guard played only 26 minutes in the Game 5 loss, scoring just 12 points. Pritchard, who was the Sixth Man of the Year in the NBA last season, scored 32 points in Game 4. He doesn't need to play 40 minutes a night, but the Celtics are a better offensive team when he's on the floor, and they'd be wise to get him in - and get him going - on Thursday.
True contributions from the big men
The trio of Neemias Queta, Nikola Vucevic and Luka Garza had 20 points in Game 3, which is not terrible, but we'd like to see someone take the opportunity and run with it.
Can Vucevic contribute double figures and hit some three's from the outside? Can Queta stay out of foul trouble, especially so far away from the basket?
And can they limit Joel Embiid when matched up against him in the post if they get the opportunity?
An improved Derrick White offensively
This goes without saying, as White has struggled all series from the floor. He was just 2-of-8 on Tuesday for six points. One of the best two-way guards in the league, he's always an asset defensively, but the Celtics are better when he's stretching the opposing defense as well.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) shoots a three point basket over Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Eric Hartline-Imagn ImagesImprovement at the foul line
Boston took 23 free-throws on Tuesday, which is a nice commitment to getting to the line. However, they made just 14 (61 percent). They need to attack the rim, but they also need to convert when they get those opportunities.
Limiting 76ers role players
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey scoring is to be expected, but what can't happen is another 18-point outburst from Quentin Grimes. He averaged 13.4 ppg in the regular season, but the Celtics have held to 12 or less in each of the other four games of this series. They need more of that.
Broadcast info
The begins at 8 p.m. ET and will air on Peacock and NBC Sports Network.
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