The 76ers’ play-in victory — with star big man Joel Embiid sidelined as he recovers from an appendectomy — secured the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and a first-round series against the second-seeded Celtics. The Philadelphia 76ers held off the Orlando Magic 109-97 on Wednesday to book an NBA playoffs first-round meeting with the Boston Celtics. Tyrese Maxey had 31 points to lead five Philadelphia players to score in double figures. Rookie VJ Edgecombe added 19 points and 11 rebounds and Andre Drummond came off the bench to score 14 points with 10 rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots.
Winner to Face Detroit in First Round
The winner of Friday’s game will advance to face the Detroit team, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, in the first round of the playoffs.
