The Celtics and 76ers are trending in opposite directions.
Boston has won eight straight and is playing some of its best basketball of the season. Philadelphia has lost 11 of 15 and is reeling without Joel Embiid.
Typically, a matchup between the two wouldn’t be viewed as a trap game, but Tuesday’s 7:30 p.m. clash at TD Garden has that feel. Here are three things to look for as the Celtics welcome a rival to town.
Can the Celtics maintain their killer instinct?
One thing that’s really stood out during this streak is the way the Celtics have punished teams and shown a killer instinct to put games away.