Philadelphia 76ers: 3 key players to success versus Boston

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 14: Al Horford #42 and Josh Richardson #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA basketball game at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 14, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

Matisse Thybulle

Matisse Thybulle would be the perfect candidate to take Horford’s starting spot in this series.

The Philadelphia 76ers could move Tobias Harris to the power forward position and then insert ‘Tisse in at small forward. Thybulle is the logical fit here as he is a premier defender, despite it being just his rookie season. ‘Tisse has guarded Kemba Walker in previous matchups with the Celtics and has had the opportunity to guard some of the best offensive guards in the NBA, giving him a decent enough chunk of experience in this regard.

Thybulle is averaging 1.45 steals per game despite only playing a little under 20 minutes a game. The Sixers could use Thybulle’s defensive versatility to guard anyone 1-4 in the Celtics starting lineup, and his general disruptiveness on the court would prove more than useful.

Brett Brown has also mentioned inserting Matisse into the starting lineup against Boston in an interview with ESPN. He was quoted saying “Matisse will have a significant role defensively in this series”, in regards to having him guard the talented Boston forwards of Tatum and Brown.

Inserting Thybulle into the starting lineup would not only boost the rookie’s confidence moving forward, but it would also create more favorable matchups for Philadelphia.