Watching the Celtics this season has been loads like taking part in darts.
You may have a pair robust throws in a row, and assume you might have all of it discovered, then the following one goes awry and hits your buddy within the eye. It’s completely unpredictable, and it usually comes with out warning.
However, in case your buddy is OK, and also you get one other throw, you could possibly salvage a state of affairs that when appeared like a misplaced trigger. Generally, an evening that begins inauspiciously might morph right into a memorable story.
After falling behind by 26 factors late within the third quarter on Sunday evening, the Celtics responded convincingly to outlast the 76ers 118-110 in a thriller at Wells Fargo Middle. It was fairly ugly early, to say the least, then they performed impressed basketball when it mattered most.
The Celtics’ comeback from 26 down matches the biggest deficit overcome to win within the NBA this season (Clippers 113, Spurs 104 Nov. 4)
It is the Celtics’ largest comeback since April 2021 after they defeated the Spurs after trailing by 32.
— Dick Lipe (@DickLipe) February 3, 2025
Listed below are 10 takeaways:
1) It was a multitude to begin.
Sure, it was a magical comeback, however let’s not faux it was rosy all the means. The Celtics regarded out of kinds defensively and missed pictures they often make on the opposite finish.
That they had hassle with the zone, couldn’t include Tyrese Maxey (34 factors) and let Guerschon Yabusele take over.
Trailing 90-64, it might have been straightforward to give up. As an alternative, they got here alive.
2) It began with Jayson Tatum.
It’s protected to say the second half was one of many wives of Jayson Tatum’s profession. He was decisive, relentless and in command, and he scored 25 of his 35 factors to will the Celtics again.
When the 76ers doubled him, Tatum made the appropriate learn. Once they didn’t, he scored virtually each time. Merely put, it was an MVP-caliber efficiency.
3) They attacked the basket within the second half.
It’s a stat that nearly sounds incomprehensible, however in accordance with the Celtics broadcast, the 76ers entered with the worst 2-point protection percentage-wise in NBA historical past. That’s sort of nuts if you concentrate on it.
The Celtics bailed them out by taking, and bricking, 3’s within the first half, then they made a deliberate shift within the second and it labored effectively. Boston ran its offense from the within out, which opened every part up and led to factors within the paint and extra natural, in-rhythm 3’s.
4) Sam Hauser supplied a elevate.
Sam Hauser was a key cog within the comeback. He completed with 12 factors and was a game-high plus-18 in 24 minutes.
Hauser helped give the Celtics life after they wanted it most.
5) Payton Pritchard would have cherished this recreation.
Payton Pritchard – who had performed in 151 straight video games earlier than lacking this one resulting from an sickness – would have had a blast on the market. He might not have let it escalate to 26, and he virtually definitely would have performed a component within the comeback.
Jaden Springer performed seven minutes and was a non-factor, and the Celtics missed Pritchard’s creativity many of the evening.
6) They improved their protection on Maxey.
Maxey had 23 factors on 7-of-14 capturing within the first half and bought nearly no matter he needed.
Within the second, he was 2 for 7 and scored 11 factors. The Celtics will take that each one day. Maxey stood out in the beginning, then blended in and regarded timid in the course of the fourth quarter because the 76ers unraveled.
7) They hit the magic variety of 30-plus assists.
The Celtics had 34 assists, and have now received 29 straight when shelling out 30 or extra. It’s not rocket science. Transfer the ball, generate high-percentage seems to be and hit open pictures.
8) It shouldn’t have gotten thus far.
The 76ers had been with out Joel Embiid and Paul George, and the Celtics did that factor the place they stoop to the extent of their opponent. There’s no excuse for what occurred within the first two-plus quarter.
This crew is unpredictable, to say the least, however that’s simply the best way it’s proper now.
9) However, they by no means gave up.
Generally, all it takes is a bit enhance when you actually need it and every part falls into place. They trusted what they do finest and located a rhythm from the surface, then the comeback began to appear believable.
Once they reduce to 14, it appeared effectively inside attain. Then it was all the way down to eight, and it appeared prefer it was inevitable. It was virtually a type of video games the place one crew storms again after which falls simply brief, however the Celtics ensured that didn’t occur.
When Jrue Vacation hit the dagger 3, you knew it was over.
10) It was an historic comeback.
The comeback matched the biggest within the NBA this season and was tied for the third-largest within the final 20 years for the franchise.
It was only one half, nevertheless it reminded us what this crew is able to when it performs to its potential.
