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Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Celtics destroy 76ers in third quarter on the way to blowout win in Game 2

By Matt Dolloff
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 03: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers defends Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of game two of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at TD Garden on May 03, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Boston Celtics have evened things up with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Powered by an overwhelming barrage of offense in the third quarter, the Celtics cruised to victory in Game 2 by a 121-87 final, tying their second-round playoff series with the Sixers at 1-1. Jaylen Brown led the way offensively with 25 points, with Malcolm Brogdon exploding for 23 off the bench. The Celtics committed to better decisions on offense and more intensity on defense, which gave them an early lead.

But it was in the third quarter that the Celtics really caught fire. The 76ers’ Joel Embiid and James Harden both went cold to start the quarter, which helped the C’s steadily add to their lead. Boston initially started the third just 1-for-6 from three, but finished the quarter ripping off 6-of-7, including three straight triples on offense to close out the quarter and extend their lead to 92-65 entering the fourth.

  • The Celtics got off to the kind of start they wanted after the way they lost Game 1. They turned the ball over just three times, compared to seven times in the first half of Game 1, and ended up with an eight-point lead at halftime.

    Inefficiency and foul trouble had Jayson Tatum lagging way behind Brown, who paced the C’s with 16 first-half points. Marcus Smart also picked up some of the slack offensively, with 13 points.

  • Tatum ended up playing just 19:20 in the game, due to the aforementioned foul trouble and the fact that the rout was on and he was no longer needed. Credit is due to the far end of the Celtics’ bench for playing an engaged fourth quarter and extending the final margin of victory to 34 points.

    The blowout win should give the Celtics confidence after a lackluster effort in Game 1. Overall, they were more focused and intense at both ends of the floor. Offensively, they re-committed to the three (20-for-51 as a team), and on defense they simply made it harder on the Sixers (six steals, eight blocked shots).

  • Game 3 between the Celtics and 76ers is set for Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET from the Wells Fargo Center.

    Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

    Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

NEXT: 7 Things To Know About This Celtics-76ers Series

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