Celtics hold off shorthanded 76ers to win 125-119

On Friday night the Boston Celtics welcomed the hobbled Philadelphia 76ers to the Garden, what was originally thought to be a high profile Eastern Conference Friday night showdown turned into a not so anticipated matchup between the first place Celtics and a 76ers team missing it's two best players in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Both teams got off to a fast start in this one shooting over 72% from the field through the first 5 minutes. The Celtics at almost full strength only missing Kristaps Porzingis were 11.5 point favorites right before tip after Embiid and Maxey were ruled out, however they struggled with the 76ers pace early. Philadelphia would lean on Paul Reed and Patrick Beverly early in this one to replicate some of their missing offense and defense but once Jayson Tatum got going with a couple free throws and an and-one Boston would extend it's first quarter lead to 25-18 with a little over five minutes left in the quarter. Boston couldn't hold onto the ball in the first quarter with 8 turnovers in the first ten minutes of the game, letting Philadelphia keep it close ending the first quarter only trailing eight 46-38.

The second quarter was an absolute roller coaster for both teams as Boston's turnover issues continued leading to a 22-7 Philadelphia run. The 76ers headed into this one shorthanded and like I previously mentioned were going to have to lead on guys they normally wouldn't for offensive production and no one stepped up more than Patrick Beverly. Beverly had his best half of the season shooting 7/8 from the field and leading all scorers with 16 points at the half. Philly would get it's lead close to 10 multiple times but Derrick White wouldn't let it get any higher with multiple big buckets at the end of the second quarter that cut into the lead ending the half only trailing by three 72-69.

Boston would come out in the second half a little slow again as Beverly continued his great game getting up to 8/9 shooting from the field. Brown would hit a big 3 for Boston though giving them their first lead in a while 80-77 5 minutes into the third quarter. That three seemed to spark Boston as they'd go on an 11-2 run heading into the 5 minute mark of the quarter. Defense continued to be optional in this one as both teams were over 90 points with a minute left in the third, what seemed like it was going to be a normal end of quarter went sideways quick.

As Jayson Tatum was ejected because NBA fans paid to see the referees not the players if you ask the refs. So Boston would head into the fourth quarter without Tatum tied with Philadelphia 95-95. I can imagine all the fans that paid to see a Friday night game between the Celtics and 76ers (not a cheap ticket by any means) were thrilled the referees injected themselves in a game already missing two of it's biggest stars.

Philadelphia would continue to play one of their best games of the season early in the fourth once again led by Beverly. However Philadelphia wasn't the only team leaning on a guard they normally wouldn't, Payton Pritchard stepped up huge in the fourth for Boston hitting back to back three's to give them a 104-101 lead with 8:30 left in the fourth. The teams would continue to go back and forth but Al Horford and Jaylen Brown stepped up huge when the Celtics needed them giving the team a 113-110 lead with 3:48 left in the game.

Philadelphia refused to go away though as Beverly's career offensive night continued with a massive three pointer to tie it 113-113 with just over 3 minutes left. The final few minutes were just as crazy as the first 46 but the Celtics did just enough to keep the 76ers at bay and secure the win. Led by Horford, Brown and Holiday the Celtics put the clamps on Philly the last two minutes and a massive Pritchard layup would give Boston a 123-116 lead with 25 seconds left. Boston would hold onto win 125-119 after one of the crazier regular season games of the season.

Scaz's takeaways

Listen to Joe Murray 6-11 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow on X @JoeyMurr and Instagram @ImJoeMurray keep up with the show!