Tyrese Maxey Leads Sixers Against Celtics

Tyrese Maxey will lead the Philadelphia 76ers against the Boston Celtics in the playoffs.

The 76ers need Maxey and VJ Edgecombe to step up, especially with Joel Embiid out for Game 1.

The Celtics are a battle-tested team with a real chance of winning a second title in three years.

The 76ers have been leaning on Maxey and Edgecombe all season, but they will need to give even more.

Maxey has averaged 28.3 points and 6.6 assists per game, making him a strong candidate for All-NBA.

He's taken ownership of the roster and dragged the 76ers to success in a season with Embiid and Paul George sidelined.

The duo has a chance to be one of the best backcourts in the NBA, particularly when Edgecombe matures into his career.

Maxey has improved significantly, playing to spots more than ever and figuring out how to be both fast and in control.

He's learned the cerebral side of the game from his mentor, James Harden, and has shown mentality and toughness this season.

The 76ers are hoping Embiid returns at some point in the series, but for now, Maxey and Edgecombe are their best hope.

Maxey's improvements have been noticeable, and he's had arguably the best season of any Philadelphia point guard since Allen Iverson in 2001.

The 76ers begin their first-round matchup against the Celtics on Sunday, and Maxey will be at the center of their schemes.

Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse said Maxey and Edgecombe are really important to what the 76ers do.

They've developed a nice synergy and chemistry together, and Nurse thinks that's a good thing for the team.