As the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers get set to open their first-round playoff series, a clear message is already echoing across the NBA landscape — and it’s not one Philadelphia fans will want to hear.
From national television to film-room breakdowns, multiple analysts are arriving at the same conclusion: Boston holds a decisive edge in this matchup.
Stephen A. Smith Warns 76ers Fans After ‘We Want Boston’ Chants
After the 76ers clinched their playoff spot, chants of “We want Boston” rang out — a moment that quickly became part of the pre-series narrative.
During a segment on First Take, Stephen A. Smith made it clear he doesn’t believe that confidence will age well.
“Philly fans will regret saying, ‘We want Boston,’” Smith said. “You’re not beating the Boston Celtics.”
Smith pointed to Boston’s consistency, depth, and playoff experience as major advantages — especially with uncertainty still surrounding Joel Embiid.
His takeaway was direct: this isn’t just a difficult matchup — it’s one that heavily favors Boston from the start.
Jason Timpf Predicts Celtics Will Control the Series
A similar outlook came from Jason Timpf on Hoops Tonight, where he broke down the matchup from a schematic perspective.
“I think Boston wins relatively easily. I’m gonna pick the Celtics in five games,” Timpf said.
Timpf highlighted what he sees as the core issue for Philadelphia — not just talent, but how that talent translates against Boston’s system.
“It’s just gonna be really difficult for them to keep up with the shot quality dynamic.”
While the 76ers can generate offense, Timpf emphasized that Boston consistently creates cleaner, more efficient looks — particularly from beyond the arc.
“Philly is a good pick-and-roll scoring team, but not a great one,” he added. “And it’s just gonna be really hard to compete with the quality spot-up opportunities Boston is gonna generate.”
Why Celtics Enter Series as Clear Favorites
The gap between the two teams, according to many analysts, goes beyond one or two factors.
Boston enters the series with:
- Elite offensive efficiency and three-point shooting
- A versatile, switch-heavy defense
- Proven playoff continuity led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown
Philadelphia, meanwhile, faces key questions:
- The health and availability of Joel Embiid
- Heavy reliance on Tyrese Maxey for shot creation
- Difficulty matching Boston’s depth and spacing across a full series
Even in scenarios where the 76ers remain competitive early, many believe Boston’s advantages will become more apparent as the series progresses.
Pressure Builds as Series Begins
GettyJaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during a game at TD Garden on March 1, 2026.
There’s also an added layer of pressure surrounding this matchup.
Philadelphia didn’t just draw Boston — they openly welcomed it.
Now, with Game 1 approaching, that confidence is being reframed externally as a potential miscalculation.
If the Celtics take control early, the “We want Boston” chants could quickly become one of the defining storylines of the series.
And if the predictions from voices like Smith and Timpf hold true, it won’t just be about who wins — it’ll be about how inevitable the outcome felt from the start.
Stephen A., Jason Timpf Send Clear Message on Celtics-76ers: ‘You’re Not Beating Boston’