Inside The Celtics

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Earned Ugly Win vs. 76ers

The Celtics overcame 20 turnovers, struggling to stay engaged defensively, and Jayson Tatum's ejection in a 125-119 win over the Sixers.

Bobby Krivitsky

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
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Friday night at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics looked across the court at a Philadelphia 76ers team missing Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey and saw their motivation level shrink.

That's not the norm for this rivalry clash, but 20 turnovers, struggling to stay engaged defensively, and Jayson Tatum's ejection nearly cost the hosts as easy an opportunity as they could've asked for to take a 2-1 series lead over the Sixers.

But between Payton Pritchard pacing all participants with ten points in the final frame, Al Horford elevating his play, including thwarting consecutive attempts at the basket by Tobias Harris, and Jaylen Brown applying the finishing touches, knocking down a pull-up mid-range jumper, assisting on a Horford bucket at the rim, and capitalizing on a pair of free throws, the Celtics earned a 125-119 win with Paul Pierce in attendance.

Here's what stood out as they did so.

1. With Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Nicolas Batum out, the 76ers started Patrick Beverley, De'Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris, Marcus Morris, and Paul Reed.

While that could create cause for concern about the hosts letting their guard down, Jaylen Brown quickly set the tone with a pick-six on the game's first play.

2. While seven turnovers in one quarter are far too many -- especially against an opposition missing its two best players -- when the Celtics weren't coughing the ball up, they were working it inside-out, consistently creating quality, in-rhythm shots.

Pairing that approach with an up-tempo operation translated to assisting on 9/14 field goals, shooting a blistering hot 70 percent from the field, and making 8/11 (72.7 percent) of their threes.

3. Boston finished the first frame with a lineup lacking Brown and Jayson Tatum.

A unit featuring Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Dalano Banton, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta outscored Philadelphia 8-4 in the final 1:51 of the period, including this three by Hauser just before the buzzer blew, giving the C's a 44-36 edge after 12 minutes.

4. The second quarter was disastrous for the Celtics, who got outscored 36-25. They had 11 turnovers in the first half. They weren't sharp defensively, either.

The Sixers produced 16 points in the paint, shot 63.6 percent from the field, and converted on 5/9 (55/6 percent) of their attempts from behind the arc.

The combination of Boston's lack of ball security and treating defense like optional homework it didn't have to do resulted in the visitors leading 72-69 at the break.

5. A third frame that saw the hosts outscore their guests 26-23 was low-scoring and relatively uneventful. That is, until Tatum tried to force his way through two defenders, only to find himself trapped.

As he swung his elbow through, he connected with Robert Covington's face, resulting in a flagrant foul. That call drew the ire of the four-time All-Star, who continued arguing with officials Bill Kennedy and Nick Buchert.

Their conversation led to Tatum picking up his second technical and earning the rest of the game off, a decision drawing a chorus of boos from the TD Garden faithful.

6. The Celtics, having committed 15 turnovers in the first three periods and not staying engaged defensively, entered the last 12 minutes trailing 97-95 and in danger of seeing what should have been a relatively easy victory to take a 2-1 series lead over Philadelphia into a pathetic loss on its home parquet.

7. Payton Pritchard stepped up for a Boston team in need to start the final frame. He showed off his improvement operating the pick-and-roll, changing pace, and waiting until the alley-oop to Neemias Queta became available. 

Then, he stepped into a pull-up three and drilled it to give the hosts a 104-101 lead with 9:04 remaining.

8. Al Horford then starred in a sequence that blew the roof off TD Garden, hosting a block party at the rim, where he stuffed Tobias Harris twice.

At the other end, he attacked a close-out, driving from the right corner and finding Jrue Holiday for a three from the left corner, giving the Celtics a 107-107 edge with 6:56 left.

9. Jaylen Brown then propelled Boston across the finish line, knocking down a mid-range pull-up jump shot, dishing to Horford for a deuce down low, and capitalizing on two free throws that helped seal a 125-119 victory.

10. The Celtics' next game is on Monday night against the Indiana Pacers. The matchup, an In-Season Tournament quarterfinal contest, will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It will tip off at 7:30 EST.

Further Reading

Celtics Share Their Perspective of NBA's Flawed but Successful In-Season Tournament

Celtics' Focus on Winning Habits Keys Blowout vs. Bulls, Helping Them Advance in In-Season Tournament

An Empowered Jaylen Brown Strives to Balance Scoring with Playmaking: 'I've Grown A Lot'

Celtics' Loss to Magic Highlights Their Most Concerning Traits

Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis Discuss Their Quickly Cultivated Chemistry: 'An Automatic Connection'

Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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