Joel Embiid had a game-high 38 points and 13 rebounds including a crucial block in the final 20 seconds, helping carry the Sixers to a 115-109 win over the Celtics at the TD Garden. It was the first win for a visitor at the Garden all year as a shorthanded Philly squad (no Al Horford) went down to the wire with the shorthanded C's (no Marcus Smart) after a 12-4 Celtics run pulled them within one point with just 27 seconds remaining. Boston's execution and strategy fell off a cliff from there however as a turnover on an inbound pass ruined the C's best chance at tying the game in the final 20 seconds. Embiid added a block on Theis on the next possession as the C's fell to 2-0 against the Sixers this season.
Kemba Walker had a team-high 29 points and 8 assists in the defeat while Gordon Hayward added 19 points. Tobias Harris had 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in the victory as the Sixers moved a game ahead of the C's in the standings.
First Half Notes
TWO UP
Kemba Walker: The point guard had his way against the Sixers defense, erupting for 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting in the first half. He has now scored 65 points over the last 1.5 games.
Points in the paint: The Celtics were giving up size to the Sixers at pretty much every position on the floor Thursday night but they managed to dominate the paint in the first half, nearly doubling up the Sixers with a 32-22 edge on points in the paint. The constant attacking mentality by the wings along with Walkerโs scoring explosion created the edge
TWO DOWN
3-point shooting from players not named Kemba: Walker has been 4-of-8 from deep but his teammates are just a combined 1-of-8 from downtown over the first 24 minutes.
PG: Kemba Walker
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Gordon Hayward
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Daniel Theis