After a brief break for the Olympics, Sunday Night Basketball is back on NBC and Peacock, and with the NBA playoffs inching ever closer, every game counts. Every Sunday throughout the rest of the regular season, NBC’s primetime basketball show is bringing you the biggest games in primetime, and this weekend definitely lives up to that promise. 

How to Watch

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On Sunday, March 1, the Philadelphia 76ers head to Boston to face the Celtics, in a battle between two major Eastern Conference powers. It’s a must-see game for NBA fans with eyes on the postseason, and we’ve got all the details right here.

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How to watch NBA on NBC’s Sunday Night Basketball on March 1

This week’s Sunday Night Basketball game takes us to TD Garden in Boston, where the Celtics hope to maintain their momentum in a battle with another Eastern Conference force, the Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams are in playoff contention right now, operating near the top of the conference standings, so this’ll definitely be one worth watching, and could even be a preview for a playoff series. 

The game tips off at 8 p.m. ET, live on NBC and Peacock, but be sure to tune in early and catch Basketball Night in America, looking back on all the action of the week while previewing the evening’s matchup. 

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What to expect from the Sixers vs. Celtics game on Sunday Night Basketball

With the Pistons out in front (for now, anyway), it’s a battle for second place in the East right now, and Boston’s got the momentum behind them. They’re still nearly tied with the Knicks and the Cavaliers on any given day, but the Celtics have their eye on a return to the NBA Finals, and on the strength of Jaylen Brown’s Top 5 scoring performance this season, and one of the league’s best defenses, they’re looking to keep their momentum going. 

But the Sixers aren’t far behind. Right now they’re just ahead of the Eastern teams qualifying for play-in tournaments at the start of the playoffs, and they’re hoping to maintain that position as well as possible over the next six weeks. A win over Boston would go a long way to sealing the deal, and they have the talent to do it. Tyrese Maxey is matching Jaylen Brown’s per-game scoring right now, and Andre Drummond has proven a solid defensive force, especially where rebounds are concerned. That said, Paul George is suspended until late March, and Joel Embiid is still on the mend from ongoing knee troubles, so they’re a bit shorthanded. Throw in a home court advantage and Boston is definitely the favorite, but don’t be surprised to see Philly roll up to the Garden and put on a show.