In a wide-open Jap Convention, measuring up in opposition to fellow playoff hopefuls is of the utmost significance for the common season. The Boston Celtics bought their first have a look at one other workforce with massive query marks within the Philadelphia 76ers tonight.
Boston’s major scoring trio – Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard – bought off to a powerful begin, scoring or aiding on their first 16 factors. Joe Mazzulla turned to Xavier Tillman Sr. as his first participant off the bench, who instantly made a defensive impression in opposition to Joel Embiid.
Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe was cooking early, scoring 11 of their first 20 factors in his NBA debut. It was sorely wanted to maintain Philadelphia shut within the first quarter, with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey providing little to the offense. Boston’s pick-and-roll and transition protection appeared a bit rusty, leaving Edgecombe with a number of alternatives to punish the rim and knock down photographs.
However the Celtics survived the first-quarter VJ flurry to take a lead into the second. That lead didn’t final lengthy, nonetheless, as Tyrese Maxey bought issues going within the second quarter. Philly’s star lead guard put up 22 factors within the first half to place the Sixers up 57-51 going into the break. Turnovers and fouls killed Boston within the early going.
Celtics middle Luka Garza was dominated out at halftime after getting into the league’s concussion protocol. He took a severe shot to the face within the second quarter and was dripping blood from his mouth after the play. That made Boston’s depleted frontcourt thinner, however Joe Mazzulla is a raise-my-rent coach if there’s ever been one.
Talking of Joe, there was some true Mazzulla Ball being performed within the third quarter. A flurry of threes and well timed defensive performs fueled a 21-4 run out of the half, led by none apart from Derrick White, who’s primed to indicate All-Star stuff this season.
Philly managed to whittle the lead down, led by a still-cooking VJ Edgecombe, however Boston stored the lead at 86-75 going into the fourth quarter.
The Sixers remained scrappy, getting vital contributions from the backcourt on an evening the place Joel Embiid didn’t have it, and stored the sport inside placing distance. Then they took over in crunch time, storming again to take a two-point lead with two minutes to go. The Celtics couldn’t get out of their very own method with unhealthy fouls and turnovers, whereas Tyrese Maxey stored cooking.
Nevertheless, they bought a glimmer of hope on the finish. Taking part in the clutch-time foul recreation, Edgecombe missed each free throws with Philly solely up one. That gave the Celtics a window with 7.8 seconds left, and Payton Pritchard’s first try at a game-winner was blocked by Quentin Grimes. His second went lengthy, and Philly pulled out a slim victory on the Backyard. It’s important to surprise if Jaylen Brown ought to have gotten the final likelihood to win the sport.
Philly was fueled by their backcourt; Maxey put up an enormous 40 factors, whereas the rookie Edgecombe had 34 in his NBA debut. That was the second-most factors for a debut recreation after Wilt Chamberlain. Speak about some legendary firm.
Some notable Celtics performances embody Derrick White (25p, 3r, 4a, 2stk) and Jaylen Brown (25p, 6r, 4a). In addition they bought an necessary 17 factors and eight rebounds from Neemias Queta, who was lively all evening. It’s a tricky loss to swallow, however the C’s have lots to construct on going into their Friday evening date with the Knicks at Madison Sq. Backyard.
