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NBA Fans React to Celtics’ Blowout Preseason Win Over 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers dropped their Saturday night game against the Boston Celtics.

Justin Grasso

Oct 12, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain (20) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Lonnie Walker IV (12) during the first half at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Oct 12, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain (20) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Lonnie Walker IV (12) during the first half at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images / Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
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After dominating the New Zealand Breakers by 55 points nearly a week ago, the Philadelphia 76ers got a taste of their own medicine in the preseason.

The Boston Celtics served them up a 50-point loss of their own.

The NBA Champions surely weren’t holding back on Saturday night.

Both teams missed key players, as the Celtics were without Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. On the other side, the Sixers gave most of their veterans a night off as they entered the matchup fresh off of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves one night prior.

It was clear the presence of multiple All-Stars for Boston’s side played a big part in putting the Sixers away with a blowout victory.

NBA Fans React to the Celtics’ Dominance

@Celtics_Junkies: The Celtics preseason is going … as expected 🔥

@iinagelo: The Celtics might be the first team in NBA history that has depth that goes 20 men deep

@PerSources: Yeah the Celtics are cooking everyone this year lol

@lockedinjb: You know the NBA is back when you see the Celtics owning the 76ers

Was It All Bad?

Missing three out of three All-Stars on night two of a back-to-back against the NBA Champions was always going to be a recipe for disaster for the Sixers.

Fortunately, a preseason record won’t mean anything in a week.

The exhibition schedule is there for two reasons. One, for proven players to get back into shape ahead of a long year. Two, for young players to develop and showcase their skills before spending more time on the bench when the games count for something.

This preseason has had all eyes on the rookie first-round pick, Jared McCain. The situation was the same in Boston on Saturday night.

@dan_olinger: Jared McCain rips Jayson Tatum clean on one end, then gets by Kornet w/ a scoop finish on the other

@NBATV: The crossover and finish through contact for Jared McCain 💪

@UsherNBA: Kid is tough!

@IAmNotACritic: Jared McCain better be in the rotation.

@whereisfenner: Jared McCain so tuff too bad he plays for Philly

With Tyrese Maxey out for the night, McCain picked up the opportunity to start, and he collected over 30 minutes of playing time.

The former Duke star led the Sixers in shots taken with 21 attempts. He struggled from three, knocking down just one of his eight attempts, but he finished the game with 20 points. It wasn’t an efficient scoring outing, but there were certainly impressive flashes in that department.

Defensively, McCain finished with three rebounds and three assists.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA

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