76ers leave Boston fans with coal in their stockings, Celtics lose 118-114 on Christmas

Coming off a irritating loss to the Orlando Magic, the Celtics got here dwelling for the vacations to face the the Philadelphia 76ers in a Christmas Day matchup. Sadly, the 76ers performed the Grinch to the followers at TD Backyard, beating the Celtics 118-114.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with factors 32 factors and 15 rebounds alongside 23 factors from Jaylen Brown, 21 factors from Derrick White, and 17 factors from Al Horford but it surely was not sufficient. Tyrese Maxey dominated this sport with Jrue Vacation out, scoring 33 factors with 12 assists and Caleb Martin gave Celtics followers PTSD from his Miami days, with 23 factors on 7 threes.

Of their inexperienced and purple Christmas apparel, Al Horford started the vacation festivities with again to again threes to open the sport for the Celtics. Boston began sizzling from three however had been additionally sloppy when it got here to holding on to the basketball, turning the ball over 6 instances within the 1st quarter. Tyrese Maxey was the primary catalyst of the 76ers offense within the quarter, ending with 12 factors.

Whereas the Celtics three level taking pictures was on within the first quarter (7-16 taking pictures) it was not sufficient to take the lead because the 76ers led 30-25 after the primary quarter. The 76ers had been relentlessly attending to the rim as 18 of their 30 factors got here within the painted space. Al Horford led the Celtics with 9 factors on 3-5 taking pictures (3-4 from three) after one.

Boston’s three ball continued to rain down to begin the second quarter however former Celtic Guerschon Yabusele bought sizzling, scoring 8 straight factors to strengthen the 76ers lead. Celtics killer Caleb Martin hit 2 threes and bought a put again layup as part of a 17-2 76ers run that gave them 50 factors with 6:17 left within the half.

The Celtics protection struggled to include the 76ers from to grabbing each free ball and offensive rebound. Philadelphia’s 16 level lead halfway by way of the second quarter was the largest deficit Boston has skilled at dwelling all season.

After a quiet first quarter, Jayson Tatum began to really feel it, hitting again to again threes over Joel Embiid and Paul George as part of a 13-4 Boston run to chop the deficits to single digits. Joel Embiid, not attempting to let the Celtics again within the sport, shot 4-4 (2-2 from three) within the quarter to present Philly a 66-58 lead on the half.

The Celtics had a superb half on offense, taking pictures 44% (21-48) from the sphere and 46% (13-28) from three, however the 76ers paint approached continued gave Boston matches as they allowed 30 factors within the paint. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 16 factors and went 5-9 from the sphere (3-5 from three) however Jaylen Brown struggled with solely 2 factors on 1-8 taking pictures. Embiid and Maxey each had 18 factors on the half to steer the 76ers. Philadelphia’s protection was aggressive with Boston, forcing 8 turnovers within the first half whereas the Celtics solely compelled 1.

Kristaps Porzingis was not on the Boston bench to begin the second half as Luke Kornet began the third quarter for the Celtics. He was dominated uncertain to return with left ankle soreness and didn’t play the remainder of the sport.

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum began the third quarter on a 7-0 run, chopping the 76ers result in 1. After each groups traded baskets, Tatum was in a position to hit a mid vary shot over Kelly Oubre Jr to present the Celtics the lead for the primary time because the starting of first quarter.

The Celtics ended the third quarter with the rating tied at 82-82. Boston’s protection within the third quarter appeared night time and day from the primary half, solely permitting 16 factors within the quarter. The Celtics rim safety was a lot improved as effectively, solely permitting 4 factors within the paint. After a tough first half for Brown, he responded with 14 factors within the third quarter on 6-10 taking pictures (2-4 from three).

Following the Celtics third quarter explosion, the 76ers began the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run to regain the lead as Tyrese Maxey began to take over, scoring 7 straight factors. Boston’s offense went chilly and Caleb Martin, who was a 30% three level shooter to begin this sport, hit his fifth and sixth three pointers of the night time to extend Philly’s lead again as much as 15.

Then, maybe by a Christmas miracle, the Celtics bought again within the sport. After forcing solely 2 turnovers within the first 44 minutes of the sport, Boston compelled three that led to a 15-3 run to make it a 1 possession sport with 2:27 to go.

Sadly the Christmas miracle was a mirage, as Tyrese Maxey hit a circus shot layup with 1:09 left and hit 2 free throws that gave Philly a 9 level lead that basically iced the sport. Boston tried to make a comeback however the 76ers had been excellent from the free throw line down the stretch and for the primary time all season, the Celtics have misplaced two video games in a row, falling to Philly 118-114.

The Celtics keep dwelling for his or her subsequent sport on Friday December twenty seventh for one more Japanese Convention Finals rematch with the Indiana Pacers.