Final: Celtics 121, Sixers 114 (OT) -- Irving posts 40 points in Christmas classic

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. 

WHO: Celtics (19-13) vs. Sixers (22-12)
WHEN: 5:30 p.m.
WHERE:  TD Garden
RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub
TV: ABC

First Half Notes

• Kyrie Irving continues to look like a man on a mission since the Celtics team meetings last weekend. He has scored 23 points in the first half for two straight games, torching Philly, which sorely lacks any kind of competent defensive option for him.


• Marcus Morris (13 points, 4 rebounds) just continues to go about his business with efficient basketball. He is letting shots come to him and knocking them down.


• Rough first half for Al Horford on the offensive end, missing six of his first seven shots, most of them wide open looks. He fared better against Joel Embiid in the post in the second quarter after a rough start.


• C's (beyond Kyrie) couldn't knock down anything from 3-point range in first half. 1-of-14 for the team, making their six-point lead even more impressive.


• Nice job by Jaylen Brown by forcing the issue in transition a couple of times but he's lost JJ Redick a few times (4-of-4 from 3) which earned the ire of Brad Stevens.


• Sixers got zero points from the bench in the first half. They are playing sloppy (8 turnovers) and really are showing off an ineffective bench supporting cast against the depth of the C's.


• Hosts only shot 43 percent in the first half but managed to stay in lead for majority of half by taking the ball (just two turnovers).

• Al Horford will remain on a minutes limit in his second game back from a knee injury. Marcus Morris does not have any kind of minutes limitation.


• This will be the first matchup between the Sixers and Celtics since the trade of Jimmy Butler to Philly. A closer look at the ramifications of that deal: Dissecting the Jimmy Butler gamble the Celtics passed on


• The Celtics lead the season series 1-0 after a win on opening night. They trail Philadelphia in the East standings by 2.5 games.