Unbelievably, the Celtics had an opportunity. Looking torpid for almost 48 minutes, and trailing by as many as 14, that they had a glance to tie it. A extremely good look. Derrick White discovered Kristaps Porzingis deep past the 3-point line. The massive man pump faked. Then he stepped right into a wide-open 3-pointer.
It grazed off the entrance rim.
Too little, too late.
The Celtics have been down 104-90 with two minutes to go earlier than engineering a livid comeback. They reeled off a 10-0 run in lower than a minute after which trailed by three on that ultimate play. But it wasn’t sufficient. Too many turnovers. Too many unhealthy photographs. Too a lot unhealthy protection. The Celtics have been too out of types. It took too lengthy for them to get up they usually have been unable to beat their struggles in a irritating 106-103 loss to the 76ers in Philadelphia.
After trying sharp and successful in several methods to begin 5-0, the Celtics have hit their first highway bump of the season and their first check of adversity. They have been unable to reply after the primary lack of the season to the Timberwolves on Monday, they usually went down in each in comparable trend as they bumped into sturdy defenses and couldn’t get by them.
Porzingis scored 29 factors, however Jaylen Brown had solely 11 factors on 4-for-13 capturing with 4 turnovers. Jayson Tatum completed with simply 16 factors. Reigning MVP Joel Embiid was as soon as once more exhausting to cease with 27 factors, Tyrese Maxey had 25 and the new-look 76ers – now with out James Harden – regarded renewed and comfy of their first rematch since final spring’s Eastern Conference semifinals. They had extra vitality and made extra performs than the Celtics, and that was finally the distinction.
Other takeaways from the loss:
– Derrick White returned after lacking two video games because of the delivery of his second little one Daxton, and it was clear straight away why his presence was missed. White had an early offensive putback and contributed seven factors, 4 rebounds and three assists within the first quarter as Boston took an early lead.
– Despite a dimension distinction, Jrue Holiday has served as a major defender to opposing bigs throughout some stretches early this season. He matched up some in opposition to New York’s Julius Randle within the opener, and in opposition to Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns on Monday. The theme continued Wednesday in opposition to Embiid, and the outcomes have been good for the Celtics. With Holiday defending him and his teammates offering free assist, the Celtics compelled Embiid into two turnovers as they acquired into transition and went on an early 13-2 run.
– The Celtics held the 76ers to only 22 factors within the first quarter, and whereas their protection was strong, the 76ers have been nonetheless getting beauty that simply weren’t taking place. But they lastly began hitting in a forgettable second quarter for the Celtics, who gave up 39 factors within the interval because the Sixers acquired into a cushty groove.
The Celtics acquired stagnant offensively and it contributed to a 2-for-12 stretch that included rushed 3-pointers and fewer ball motion. That helped Tyrese Maxey and the Sixers get out and run as they went on a 22-8 run to take management because the Celtics merely couldn’t manufacture stops. Kristaps Porzingis acquired right into a rhythm within the put up late within the second en path to 16 first-half factors, however Maxey’s last-second shot gave Philly a seven-point lead on the break.
Source: www.bostonherald.com
