Kenneth Joshua Dalde


“Tonight was the definition of a team win,” quoted Jayson Tatum.

It was not a lucky night for Boston Celtics, as four of their star players were out of the game, but they still managed to grab a win against the Philadelphia 76ers, 106-99, on Thursday (PH time) held at the TD Garden.

Photo Courtesy of NBC Sports

Celtics proved that the three-point line was their territory, carving out 19-for-35 triples compared to 10-of-30 of Philadelphia, which helped them to earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference. 

Blake Griffin shone the brightest beyond the arc after firing five three-pointers, and tallying two rebounds and an assist. 

Tatum, on the other hand, also carried the fight for the shorthanded Celtics as he produced 12 markers, eight rebounds, and five assists. 

Tatum had a collision with his teammate Jaylon Brown during the last two minutes of the first half as both of them went for an offensive rebound, which led Brown to suffer a facial contusion and never return to the floor. 

Other Boston players who missed the game were Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, and Al Horford, who suffered from injuries.  

"Those guys are putting in so much work, and they're professionals. When they get their number called, they come in and compete,” Tatum praised his teammates.

Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon sizzled 19 points apiece, while Grant Williams and Sam Hauser contributed 15 and 14 markers respectively. 

The Sixers got a chance to change the rhythm of the match during the remaining minutes of the third canto when they blasted a 10-2 run, 79-80, but Celtics refused to make this happen with the courtesy of White’s triple that ended the quarter in their favor, 86-79.

The dominance continued for Celtics in the final canto, unleashing a 6-2 spread through White’s deadly trey and Tatum’s floater to secure the win, 106-99.

Meanwhile, Joel Embiid erupted for 28 points in a losing heroic, and James Harden dished out 26 points on the strength of three rebounds and 11 assists.

Philadelphia will host their third and last battle against Boston this season on February 25 and April 4.


Edited by Quian Vencel Galut