Stage Is Set For Sixers vs Celtics while Eagles Win the NFL Draft

Article Written by Billy Schweim

Contributing Author(s): Josh Hennig

Originally Published on April 28, 2023

We can't wait for Round Two of the 2023 NBA playoffs to start this Monday because it's another round of Sixers vs Celtics with Game One in Boston. The Sixers have their work cut out for them against what many consider one of the best teams in the NBA. Joel Embiid, NBA MVP Finalist for the second straight season, has never made it past the second round of the NBA playoffs and there is speculation he may not be available for Game One as he recovers from a knee injury. These two organizations have a storied history where there is no love lost between the fan bases over the last 60 years. This is another chapter in an Eastern Conference rival whose classic history includes Wilt vs Russell in the 1960's then Erving vs Bird in the 1980's. Boston won the regular season series 3-1 even though one of those losses could have been won by Philadelphia if Jayson Tatum doesn't make a clutch shot. With Embiid nursing a sprained knee, Jason Tatum and his Celtics will look to establish their home-court advantage on Monday and Wednesday nights. Will we see if the Sixers can erase the demons of the past and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in over 20 years?

On Thursday Night, the bright lights of the NFL Draft overshadowed the NHL and NBA playoffs while the Eagles had another great first round. The Eagles and their General Manager Howie Roseman rolled the dice and used two first-round picks to select two more Georgia Bulldogs National Championship players; Similar to last year, Philadelphia landed a Defensive Lineman with blue chip prospect Jalen Carter and later saw another Georgia Football Player fall into their laps, this time Freakishly Athletic Edge Rusher Nolan Smith. The Eagles now have four of the top defensive players from Georgia's National Championship teams adding Carter and Smith to Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean who the Birds drafted last year.

The Phillies finished their homestand strong, taking two out of three from the talented Seattle Mariners, and are back at .500 as they now hit the road for a rematch with their World Series foe. The Phillies have a three-game set with the Houston Astros this weekend followed by a trip to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers before returning to host the Boston Red Sox. The Phillies could finish the month of April with a winning record and The Locker Room with Billy Schweim will talk about it all this weekend!

PLUS ONLY THIS WEEKEND: we will be giving away an autographed Eagles Football by Hasson Reddick! Tune in starting at 10am on Saturday to get more details on how you can win, so don't miss out!

Photo by Billy Schweim for The Locker Room on 973 ESPN

On Saturday’s show, Mike Carlin joins me in the studio as we will examine the Sixers vs Celtics series. The Sports Book Consigliere Dave Sharapan checks in from Las Vegas with his unique perspective on the NBA and NHL playoffs. We will also start a new segment called “South Jersey Faces in the Crowd”: We will be picking an athlete who has accomplished or achieved greatness in sports to be interviewed on the show the following week. Plus we will talk Phillies and Sixers and don't forget we will be giving away an autographed Eagles football by Hasson Reddick so tune in for details on how to win this great prize!

On Sunday’s show, The Locker Room Youth movement is back in the studio as Producer Danny Ryan and "The Intern” Andrew Leeds join me with their takes on the latest with our Philly Sports teams. Every Sunday we go

“On the Mound” with former Phillies Pitcher Tommy Greene brought to you by the John R. Elliott Hero Campaign for Designated Drivers. Tommy talks Phillies Baseball with us each week! Sixers prepare for the Celtics and we will review the Eagles 2023 Draft picks.

All that and more this weekend in The Locker Room with Billy Schweim, heard every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to Noon on 973 ESPN Radio South Jersey!

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