Philadelphia’s comeback from a 3–1 hole against Boston last spring still hangs over this rivalry. The 76ers erased that series deficit, then watched their season end against the champion Knicks. Now the Celtics return to Philadelphia on Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. EST with a rebuilt roster and a fast start of their own. This is an early-season meeting, but it carries the spark of a much bigger chapter.

Through games on Nov. 8, Philadelphia stands 9–2 and Boston is 8–2. The Sixers have had a bumpy few days, following a tough loss in Cleveland with a 127–121 win over Chicago. Boston has looked like a speeding train, winning its last three games and beating Milwaukee twice. Its 10.7-point average winning margin shows that the Celtics have often created space early and kept control late.

The main race could be Tyrese Maxey against Jayson Tatum. Maxey is Philadelphia’s blur, using his first step to zip into the lane or pull up before defenders can reset. He has scored 26.9 points per game while shooting 48.1 percent from the field, a sign that his high-speed attacks have been sharp. Boston must build a wall in front of him without losing track of Philadelphia’s other threats.

Tatum leads Boston with 27.1 points and also hands out 7.8 assists per game. That passing number matters because he can draw defenders, then find teammates in open space. Paul George gives Tatum a smooth shooting partner on the wing. George has hit 42.5 percent of his three-point shots and averages 2.3 steals, so he can turn a loose pass into a Celtics fast break in a flash. Derrick White adds calm ball handling and active defense behind them.

Philadelphia answers with size, strength, and star power. Joel Embiid is listed as probable with a foot issue after an expected return date of Nov. 8. If he plays, his battle with Boston’s big men will shape the paint, the area close to the basket. Embiid averages 9.7 rebounds, and his ability to score near the rim can force Boston’s defenders to collapse inward. That could open lanes for Maxey and chances outside for Jaylen Brown, the former Celtic now wearing a Sixers uniform. LeBron James has added 6.7 assists per game, showing that he can steer the offense and set up teammates.

Boston owns a small edge in rebounding and has made 37.6 percent of its three-point shots, compared with Philadelphia’s 34 percent. The Celtics will try to spread the floor and make Philadelphia chase. Yet Boston also turns the ball over nearly 15 times per game. The Sixers average 8.7 steals, so alert hands could give them extra possessions.

This game will come down to whether Philadelphia can make its powerful lineup control the paint while Maxey supplies the burst. Boston’s recent run and stronger outside shooting make the Celtics the pick to win, but the margin should be tight in a rivalry that already has plenty of history.

Boston Returns to Philadelphia With the Series Still Echoing