Celtics' top-five defense meets a 76ers offense ranked 22nd

The Boston Celtics (8-2) bring the league's fifth-ranked defense to Philadelphia on Tuesday night to face the 76ers (9-2), who lead the East with the 22nd-ranked offense and hold a half-game edge for first place.

Boston allows 105.6 points per 100 possessions, fifth in the league. Philadelphia scores 108.9 per 100 and ranks 26th in effective field goal percentage, so the 76ers seldom get the easy baskets that would crack a defense this tight.

Their answer is care with the ball. The 76ers turn it over on 10.9% of their possessions, third-lowest in the league, which blunts Paul George and his 2.3 steals a game.

The other gap sits behind the arc. The Celtics take 47.2% of their shots from 3, sixth in the league, while Philadelphia ranks 26th in that share. Boston also plays the second-slowest pace in the league, a drag on a 76ers team that likes to run.

Jayson Tatum carries Boston with 27.1 points and 7.8 assists a game. Tyrese Maxey answers for Philadelphia at 26.9 points on 48.1% shooting.

Joel Embiid has an opening on the glass. Boston ranks 25th in defensive rebounding, and Embiid averages 9.7 rebounds, 2.4 of them offensive.

Philadelphia is short up front. Center Ariel Hukporti is out, as are Adem Bona, the team's leading shot blocker, and Dominick Barlow, who plays 23.7 minutes a game. Bona is expected back Thursday, November 12, and Barlow Wednesday, November 18.

The Celtics are without guard Devin Carter, who logs 17.9 minutes a game, and Amari Williams. Dillon Mitchell and Chris Cenac Jr. are questionable.

Boston has won three straight, including a 119-80 rout at Charlotte. Philadelphia's only loss in its last five came at Cleveland, 119-95.

Tip-off is at 8 p.m. ET. Sportsbooks' prices make it an even game at 50% each, and Keel's projection gives Boston a 53% chance and a 3.1-point edge.