Embiid and Philadelphia host Tatum and the Celtics

Updated Jan. 13, 2022 3:02 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Boston Celtics (21-21, 10th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (23-17, fifth in the Eastern Conference)

Philadelphia; Friday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum meet when Philadelphia faces Boston. Embiid is fifth in the NBA averaging 27.1 points per game and Tatum ranks eighth in the league averaging 25.7 points per game.

The 76ers are 14-11 in Eastern Conference games. Philadelphia is ninth in the league giving up just 105.7 points per game while holding opponents to 44.9% shooting.

The Celtics are 5-5 against the rest of their division. Boston scores 107.8 points and has outscored opponents by 2.0 points per game.

The teams square off for the third time this season. The 76ers won the last meeting on Dec. 21. Embiid scored 41 points points to help lead the 76ers to the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Embiid is averaging 27.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the 76ers. Tobias Harris is averaging 18.1 points over the last 10 games for Philadelphia.

Tatum is scoring 25.7 points per game and averaging 8.4 rebounds for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Boston.

LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 8-2, averaging 112.2 points, 43.2 rebounds, 23.8 assists, 8.0 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 102.7 points per game.

Celtics: 5-5, averaging 105.8 points, 45.8 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 7.5 steals and 8.1 blocks per game while shooting 44.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 101.5 points.

INJURIES: 76ers: Ben Simmons: out (back), Shake Milton: out (back).

Celtics: Marcus Smart: out (thigh).

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