Philadelphia @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 9, 2020 ) Boston 98, Philadelphia 109

Joel Embiid has shown no rust in two games since returning from a finger injury, but his Philadelphia 76ers have had varied results. They will try to put everything together and pick up a rare road win when they visit the rival Boston Celtics on Saturday.

Embiid is averaging 22.5 points on 63.0 percent shooting and 12 rebounds since coming back earlier in the week as Philadelphia defeated Golden State at home and then fell 127-117 at Atlanta, which rode 39 points from Trae Young to the win. "We weren't focused, defensively," the All-Star Embiid told reporters after his team fell to 9-16 on the road. "Their pick-and-roll hurt us, especially, because of [Young]. He's such a capable shooter." The Celtics won five of their last six after a 119-104 victory over the Warriors on Thursday. Gordon Hayward scored 25 points and Jayson Tatum marked his first career All-Star selection with 21 points as Boston improved to 19-5 at home.

TIME: 8:30 p.m. ET. TV: ABC, TSN 1/4

ABOUT THE 76ERS (31-18): Ben Simmons, who joined Embiid as an All-Star selection Thursday, scored 31 points at Atlanta and finished January with an average of 22.2 points on 62.6 percent shooting. Fellow guard Shake Milton had the best game of his career with personal bests of 27 points and six assists while making 5-of-9 3-pointers. Power forward Al Horford sat out the contest due to a sore knee but he is expected to play Saturday against his former team.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (32-15): Tatum's first All-Star nod is part of an emotional week for the 21-year-old, who idolized the late Kobe Bryant. "I wanted to cry," he told reporters of learning he was an All-Star. "I didn't cry. I might cry later, though. ... I've been watching the All-Star Game ever since I've been watching basketball. I would always get Kobe's All-Star jersey." Tatum also had missed the previous three games with a groin issue before going 7-of-14 in 24 minutes versus Golden State.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Celtics PG Marcus Smart scored 21 points Thursday and had 24 in the most recent matchup with the Sixers on Jan. 9.

2. Sixers SF Tobias Harris is averaging 21.5 points over his last four games.

3. Philadelphia took each of the first three meetings, including a 115-109 victory in its first visit to TD Garden behind Embiid's 38 points and 13 rebounds.

PREDICTION: Celtics 109, 76ers 106