76ers-Celtics news: Sixers look to take series lead; Joel Embiid status update; Game 3 won't air on TV

The first two games of this series swung dramatically, with the Celtics blasting the Sixers in Game 1 before the Sixers responded with a double-digit Game 2 victory.

Coach Nick Nurse, though, said he was not “totally shocked” by either result. Because even when the same teams meet between four and seven consecutive times, wrinkles such as shooting variance, schematic adjustments, and less-predictable role-player contributions can alter the course of one specific matchup.

“I wasn’t shocked after Game 1,” Nurse said. “I certainly wasn’t hoping or expecting that, but I wasn’t shocked. And I wasn’t that shocked after Game 2. I thought both of those scenarios were possible.”

The annoying world of streaming will come to a head for Philly sports fans tonight, with three events scattered across the digital world.

Day 2 of the NFL draft will be most accessible, airing on ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network beginning at 7 p.m. tonight. But you'll need at least two separate screens to keep up with the rest of the action across town.

Game 3 of the 76ers first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics also begins at 7 p.m. tonight, but the game isn't airing on TV – it's streaming exclusively on Amazon's Prime Video and won't air on NBC Sports Philadelphia.

VJ Edgecombe playfully said Thursday that his viral wink captured on television during Game 2 was “for whoever wanted it.”

But who was it actually directed at?

A teammate, he says. Either Kelly Oubre or Paul George. Edgecombe can’t quite remember.

Joel Embiid is officially listed as doubtful to play in Friday’s Game 3 of the 76ers’ first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, after he participated in parts of Thursday’s practice while continuing to recover from an April 9 appendectomy.

“Obviously, we’re really hopeful. And I think he’s really hopeful,” coach Nick Nurse said after the practice. “He wants to play, and we want him to play. I don’t know how close we are to that at this point, but I think there’s some progress being made. And let’s hope it keeps going that way.”

Embiid began a strength and conditioning program in Philly on Monday, then progressed to on-court work before Thursday’s team session. Nurse described the day’s work primarily as a double film session, with on-court activities described as “not much more” than a walk-through.

Know this: Game 2 wasn’t a fluke.

That’s a dangerous thing to say, but following the evidence can lead you to some dangerous places.

The 76ers didn’t beat the Boston Celtics because they hit a bunch of shots they normally miss, or because Boston missed a bunch of shots they normally make. The Sixers won Game 2 because they outplayed the Celtics for three quarters, especially on the defensive end of the court. It was an honest, well-deserved victory. That is why the best-of-seven series is even heading into Game 3.