Final: Celtics 114, Sixers 103

The Celtics have had their fair share of comebacks during the 2017-18 season, Thursday's against the Sixers might have been convincing. After trailing by as many as 22 points in the second quarter, the Celtics went on a 69-31 run over the next 21 minutes, helping them run away with a 114-103 victory over the Sixers.

Jaylen Brown had a team-high 21 points in Boston's seventh straight win in a balanced scoring effort. Kyrie Irving added 20 points, Marcus Morris scored 19 points off the bench, while Jayson Tatum scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half. J.J. Redick scored a game-high 22 points for the Sixers in the defeat. 

The Celtics have won all three matchups against the Sixers this season.

Second Half Notes

• The Celtics carried over their momentum from the first half almost immediately in the quarter, extending their run to 32-12 from the first half.


• Jayson Tatum really started to get things going offensively, scoring 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting after a quiet first half (two points)


• The Celtics offense (60 percent) was flowing incredibly well behind great ball movement (10 assists on 15 made baskets). The 3-point shots were also starting to fall (6-of-10) after the C's were stuck in a slump.


• Defensively, the C's clamped down incredibly well, getting contributions from almost everywhere. The Sixers turned the ball over constantly (six times in frame), Joel Embiid and J.J. Redick were slowed down offensively, leaving the Sixers helpless to produce consistent offense against a steady halfcourt defense from Boston


• At one point, Celtics outscored the Sixers 69-31 over a 21 minute span of the game, turning a 22-point deficit into a double-digit lead for the Celtics before the midway point of the fourth quarter.


• Marcus Morris with easily his best game as a Celtic since returning from his left knee injury. Not only was the jump shot falling but he looked more mobile than he's been all year.

• A slow offensive start for both teams changed in a hurry after a Sixers 9-2 run to start the game over the first four minutes.


• The C's starting five came out sluggish but they starting showing some more energy after a Brad Stevens timeout three minutes in. Sharper cuts, stronger takes got the scoring got a little bit, but the Sixers were executing well within their own offensive sets.


• Turnovers were a problem early for Boston with some sloppy ballhandling in the paint leading to easy steals. Kyrie Irving was one of the biggest problems on this front.


• Ben Simmons had a few nice drives on Al Horford and Marcus Smart. He's going to be a handful for a long time in this league.


• After getting blocked to start the game, J.J. Redick made his next five shots, including four from beyond the arc. A lot of them were well contested but he's finding his rhythm well.


• In the second quarter, the flood gates open for Philly with Kyrie Irving and Al Horford resting over the first four months. The Sixers opened the period with a 17-4 run, getting to the basket at will, while also shooting the lights out from 3-point range (7-of-12 start from deep).


• Meanwhile, the Celtics were turnover prone and rushed on offense, settling for rushed shots from the likes of Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier in several spots.


• Stevens settled on a lineup of Larkin/Irving/Brown/Horford/Theis to stop the bleeding a little bit. Larkin helped to contain T.J. McConnell and Bayless, while the Celtics offense got going in transition.


• This is a sneak peek of how scary the Sixers can be in the first 18 minutes of this game. The Sixers were making tough contested shots all over the floor, largely from pieces of their young core.


• Nice close to the half (15-3 run over final four minutes) for the Celtics as they found some offense in transition off of stops and got to the free throw line a bit. Given how well the Sixers shot early, it's a moral victory for the C's to trim 25-point lead down to nine so quickly.

• This is the third matchup of the season between the two teams. The Celtics have won both games to date, including a 102-92 win in Philadelphia. Joel Embiid did not suit up for the second game in Boston. Despite being played in London, this will count as the second and final home game of the year for the Sixers in the series.


• Al Horford is expected to start after missing Saturday's win over the Nets with a sore left knee. The big man went through practice in London this week and should be back in the lineup, barring any setbacks. Marcus Morris will no longer be on a minutes restriction for the affair. The Sixers will have their full compliment of players as well.


• Tonight's matchup features two of the hottest teams in the NBA at the moment. The Celtics are tied for the league's longest winning streak with six straight victories, while the Sixers are close behind with four straight wins. Philadelphia is also coming off its biggest win of the year last weekend, a 114-78 drubbing of the Pistons at home.


• Interesting matchup choices for the Celtics starting five tonight with the Sixers big lineup. Look for Kyrie Irving to guard Robert Covington, while Horford may be matchup on Ben Simmons again to start things.