76ers leave Boston fans with coal in their stockings, Celtics lose 118-114 on Christmas

Celtics looked for a Christmas miracle comeback, but 76ers hold on for the win

Coming off a frustrating loss to the Orlando Magic, the Celtics came home for the holidays to face the the Philadelphia 76ers in a Christmas Day matchup. Sadly, the 76ers played the Grinch to the fans at TD Garden, beating the Celtics 118-114.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with points 32 points and 15 rebounds alongside 23 points from Jaylen Brown, 21 points from Derrick White, and 17 points from Al Horford but it was not enough. Tyrese Maxey dominated this game with Jrue Holiday out, scoring 33 points with 12 assists and Caleb Martin gave Celtics fans PTSD from his Miami days, with 23 points on 7 threes.

In their green and red Christmas attire, Al Horford began the holiday festivities with back to back threes to open the game for the Celtics. Boston started hot from three but were also sloppy when it came to holding on to the basketball, turning the ball over 6 times in the 1st quarter. Tyrese Maxey was the main catalyst of the 76ers offense in the quarter, finishing with 12 points.

While the Celtics three point shooting was on in the first quarter (7-16 shooting) it was not enough to take the lead as the 76ers led 30-25 after the first quarter. The 76ers were relentlessly getting to the rim as 18 of their 30 points came in the painted area. Al Horford led the Celtics with 9 points on 3-5 shooting (3-4 from three) after one.

Boston’s three ball continued to rain down to start the second quarter but former Celtic Guerschon Yabusele got hot, scoring 8 straight points to strengthen the 76ers lead. Celtics killer Caleb Martin hit 2 threes and got a put back layup as a part of a 17-2 76ers run that gave them 50 points with 6:17 left in the half.

The Celtics defense struggled to contain the 76ers from to grabbing every loose ball and offensive rebound. Philadelphia’s 16 point lead midway through the second quarter was the biggest deficit Boston has experienced at home all season.

After a quiet first quarter, Jayson Tatum started to feel it, hitting back to back threes over Joel Embiid and Paul George as a part of a 13-4 Boston run to cut the deficits to single digits. Joel Embiid, not trying to let the Celtics back in the game, shot 4-4 (2-2 from three) in the quarter to give Philly a 66-58 lead at the half.

The Celtics had a good half on offense, shooting 44% (21-48) from the field and 46% (13-28) from three, but the 76ers paint approached continued gave Boston fits as they allowed 30 points in the paint. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 16 points and went 5-9 from the field (3-5 from three) but Jaylen Brown struggled with only 2 points on 1-8 shooting. Embiid and Maxey both had 18 points at the half to lead the 76ers. Philadelphia’s defense was aggressive with Boston, forcing 8 turnovers in the first half while the Celtics only forced 1.

Kristaps Porzingis was not on the Boston bench to start the second half as Luke Kornet started the third quarter for the Celtics. He was ruled doubtful to return with left ankle soreness and did not play the rest of the game.

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum started the third quarter on a 7-0 run, cutting the 76ers lead to 1. After both teams traded baskets, Tatum was able to hit a mid range shot over Kelly Oubre Jr to give the Celtics the lead for the first time since the beginning of first quarter.

The Celtics ended the third quarter with the score tied at 82-82. Boston’s defense in the third quarter looked night and day from the first half, only allowing 16 points in the quarter. The Celtics rim protection was much improved as well, only allowing 4 points in the paint. After a rough first half for Brown, he responded with 14 points in the third quarter on 6-10 shooting (2-4 from three).

Following the Celtics third quarter explosion, the 76ers started the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run to regain the lead as Tyrese Maxey started to take over, scoring 7 straight points. Boston’s offense went cold and Caleb Martin, who was a 30% three point shooter to start this game, hit his 5th and 6th three pointers of the night to increase Philly’s lead back up to 15.

Then, perhaps by a Christmas miracle, the Celtics got back in the game. After forcing only 2 turnovers in the first 44 minutes of the game, Boston forced three that led to a 15-3 run to make it a 1 possession game with 2:27 to go.

Sadly the Christmas miracle was a mirage, as Tyrese Maxey hit a circus shot layup with 1:09 left and hit 2 free throws that gave Philly a 9 point lead that essentially iced the game. Boston tried to make a comeback but the 76ers were perfect from the free throw line down the stretch and for the first time all season, the Celtics have lost two games in a row, falling to Philly 118-114.

The Celtics stay home for their next game on Friday December 27th for another Eastern Conference Finals rematch with the Indiana Pacers.