The Boston Celtics will fight to avoid elimination Thursday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Down 3-2 in the second round, the defending Eastern Conference champions must win at Wells Fargo Center to send the series back to TD Garden for a winner-take-all Game 7. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is preparing for a hostile road environment.
“I’m ready for war,” Mazzulla said before Thursday’s tipoff, per The Athletic’s Jay King.
Joe Mazzulla on how he’s feeling: “I’m ready for war.”
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) May 11, 2023
In that case, Mazzulla should be relieved to discover he only has to coach a basketball game.
After losing Game 1 with Joel Embiid sidelined, Boston jumped ahead with consecutive victories. However, the Celtics ceded control of the series with a Game 4 overtime loss and 12-point defeat Tuesday night.
Mazzulla’s defense must find a way to combat James Harden, who returned to vintage form when exceeding 40 points in two 76ers victories. Per NBC Sports Boston, Mazzulla is making a tactical change by starting Robert Williams for the first time since April 7.
Thursday’s Game 6 begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.