The Boston Celtics face off against the Philadelphia 76ers tonight in Game 3 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series, aiming to reclaim momentum after a surprising defeat.
Why it matters: The series is tied 1-1, and tonight's game is a chance for the Celtics to regain home-court advantage.
The Celtics, the second seed, finished the regular season with a 56-26 record, compared to the 76ers' 45-37.
Boston is favored by 7.5 points, according to PrizePicks, following their unexpected loss in Game 2.
Game 3 is a must-win for the Celtics to avoid falling behind in the best-of-seven series.
Driving the news: The 76ers pulled off a stunning 111-97 victory in Game 2, leveling the series after losing Game 1 decisively.
Philadelphia's win in Game 2 featured rookie VJ Edgecombe scoring 30 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, marking a historic performance.
Tyrese Maxey also shined with 29 points and 9 assists, helping the team hit 19 three-pointers, a stark improvement from just 4 in Game 1.
The Sixers capitalized on Boston's poor shooting, as the Celtics only made 26% of their three-point attempts in Game 2.
State of play: The Celtics are looking to bounce back after a disappointing performance in Game 2.
Boston's Jaylen Brown led the team with 36 points in the loss, but no other player reached double figures.
Jayson Tatum contributed 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists, but his efforts were overshadowed by the team's shooting woes.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla is expected to continue emphasizing three-point shooting, which has been a staple of the Celtics' offense.
The big picture: Tonight's matchup at Xfinity Mobile Arena is key for both teams.
If the Celtics win, they will regain the upper hand in the series and head into Game 4 with confidence.
A loss for Boston could shift the momentum firmly in favor of the 76ers, who would then have two home games to potentially close out the series.
The Celtics have historically performed well in playoff bounce-back scenarios, boasting a 20-6 record this season following a loss.
What they're saying: Players and analysts are weighing in on the upcoming game.
Derrick White emphasized the need for confidence in shooting, stating, "You got to have that confidence the next one’s going to go in and got to have that belief."
Experts predict that the Celtics will adjust their strategy to exploit open looks from beyond the arc, which they missed in Game 2.
Analysts are backing the Celtics to cover the spread, citing their strong track record following losses in the playoffs.
By the numbers: Key statistics highlight the stakes for tonight's game.
The Celtics shot just 13-for-50 (26%) from three-point range in Game 2, a stark drop from their usual performance.
Boston committed 13 turnovers in Game 2, leading to 16 points for the 76ers, a factor that cannot be overlooked.
In the series, the over/under for total points scored is set at 215.5, a figure that reflects the teams' recent scoring trends.
What's next: Looking ahead, the series schedule remains tight.
Game 4 will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET, also in Philadelphia.
If necessary, Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET in Boston.
Fans can catch the action live on Prime Video, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET tonight.