Everything you need to know about the Celtics beating the Sixers 121-114 in quickie form with BSJ insight and analysis.
Box Score
HEADLINES
Kyrie to the rescue: Kyrie Irving refused to let the Celtics lose for the second straight year at home on Christmas Day. The All-Star posted the first 40-point, 10-rebound game of his career and scored six crucial points in overtime to help rally the Celtics to a 121-114 win over the Sixers. Irving also hit a game-tying shot in regulation to force the extra frame before knocking down back-to-back 3s to put the C’s up for good in the game’s final two minutes. Jayson Tatum and Marcus Morris chipped in with 23 points each in the victory as the hosts overcame 34 points from Joel Embiid in the first matchup between the two squads since the Jimmy Butler (24 points) blockbuster deal last month.
Al Horford goes overtime on a minutes limit to slow down Embiid: The All-Star center was not supposed to play more than 25 minutes in his second game back from a knee issue but the training staff gave him the green light to play all five minutes in overtime to hit 30 on the night. Boston needed every one of those minutes to slow down Joel Embiid, who wreaked havoc against a frontcourt without Aron Baynes, whenever Horford was off the floor. The Sixers' center scored just two of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, as the Sixers offense stalled late after scoring 95 points over the first three quarters. Those stops were needed as the C’s had a rough shooting night (41 percent) of their own.
C’s keep the upper hand in possible postseason preview: Boston has now beat the Sixers in six of their last seven head-to-head matchups dating back to last season. Philadelphia upgraded their starting five with Jimmy Butler (24 points) but their depth against Boston’s bench (C’s second unit outscored them 25-13) makes them look just as vulnerable as ever in a head-to-head matchup.
TURNING POINT
The Celtics closed out the game with a 13-1 over the final 1:49 of the contest after trailing by as many as five points in the overtime frame. Irving scored six consecutive points on back-to-back 3s during the game-changing run, as the visitors’ offense stalled (1-of-8 shooting in OT) down the stretch, opening the door for Boston’s second straight win.
TWO UP
Kyrie Irving: The All-Star scored 23 first-half points for the second straight game, carrying the Celtics offense on a night when the rest of the team went 1-of-14 from 3-point range in the first half. He has shot 75 percent from the field before intermission in the past two games and also led the team in rebounds (four) in the first half, proving himself as more than just a scorer as far as the team contributions he’s making this year. He was the first player to go for 40-10 as a Celtic since Paul Pierce in 2005.
Marcus Morris: The Celtics unveiled their campaigns for their own All-Stars on Tuesday night and Morris was rightfully featured as one of the top candidates. He continued his strong campaign in his second game back from a sore knee on Tuesday night, scoring 21 points through the first three quarters on 8-of-12 shooting on his way to a 23 point night. He also knocked down three 3s for the 11th time all year, adding to his career year from beyond the arc.
TWO DOWN
Gordon Hayward: The $30-million man remains marred in one of his worst slumps of the season and was a complete non-factor for the better part of 53 minutes on Tuesday night. Without the foot speed to create separation, Hayward took just six shot attempts and shot below 33 percent from the field on them for the fifth straight game.
Al Horford's shooting: After a perfect night in his return from a knee injury against the Hornets on Sunday, the big man failed to find his shooting touch against a tougher opponent. He missed seven of his first nine shots, including all five from beyond the arc despite the fact that nearly all of them were of the wide-open variety. He did an admirable job slowing down Embiid in the post after a rough first quarter, but the C’s offense needs him to hit open looks to keep pace with the Sixers firepower.
TOP PLAY
KYRIE IRVING... MY GOODNESS. pic.twitter.com/aJP5FZwfSk
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 26, 2018
