PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Anticipation is at an all time high as the Philadelphia 76ers prepare to host the Boston Celtics for Game 3 of the first round of the NBA playoffs Friday night.<\/p>\n
This will be the Sixers’ first home playoff game in two years.<\/p>\n
The best-of-7 series is tied 1-1 after the Sixers won Game 2.<\/p>\n
When you hear the Sixers Stixers drum line and see the Squad 76 dancers, you know it’s time to party.<\/p>\n
The drum line and dancers appeared on Action News Mornings, giving an energetic preview of what to expect.<\/p>\n
“You can hear the fans all ready rocking right now, let’s go,” said Antoine Mapp, Director of Sixers Stixers.<\/p>\n
The 76ers appear to have found a rhythm of their own on the court and will hit the hardwood in front of a home crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena.<\/p>\n
“I’m ready to go play basketball,” said Sixers rookie guard V.J. Edgecombe.<\/p>\n
Edgecombe is fresh off of a viral moment after sinking a three-pointer during Game 2 and seemingly winked at the camera.<\/p>\n
“I was looking at my teammate and he was just in the line of the camera like how I am right here,” said Edgecombe.<\/p>\n
Edgecombe added, “I’m going to be honest, I didn’t remember doing it.”<\/p>\n
He said his teammates showed him the video and joked that he appeared to have been “aura farming,” which is when someone handles something confidently and stylishly.<\/p>\n
“The wink was for whoever wanted it,” Edgecombe said.<\/p>\n
His teammates will be rocking the iconic all black jerseys, worn by Sixers legend Allen Iverson.<\/p>\n
Former 76er Marc Jackson played with A.I. in the early 2000’s.<\/p>\n
“When they said they were bringing it back, it was kind of emotional,” Jackson said. “Me and A.I. was talking about it like, yo, they’re bringing back jersey’s. Darn right they should bring it back. It’s the best jerseys ever.”<\/p>\n
The team is still without star center Joel Embiid.<\/p>\n
It’s been two weeks since he had emergency surgery to remove his appendix and it remains unclear when or if he’ll be healthy enough to return.<\/p>\n
“He wants to play and we want him to play. I don’t know how close we are to that at this point,” said Sixers head coach Nick Nurse.<\/p>\n
Game 4 will be played in Philadelphia on Sunday.<\/p>\n
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