3 observations after Sixers earn impressive Christmas victory over Celtics

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3 observations after Sixers earn impressive Christmas victory over Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

BOSTON — The Sixers’ season reached a crystal-clear high point on Christmas.

The team visited TD Garden on the holiday and came away with an impressive 118-114 win over the Celtics.

Tyrese Maxey had 33 points, 12 assists and three steals. Joel Embiid recorded 27 points and nine rebounds.

Caleb Martin scored his most points yet as a Sixer, notching 23 and making a career-high seven three-pointers.

Jayson Tatum tallied 32 points and 15 rebounds for the Celtics, who fell to 22-8.

The 11-17 Sixers were without four players in Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgery), KJ Martin (left foot stress reaction), Andre Drummond (left toe sprain) and Eric Gordon (oral surgery). Boston’s Jrue Holiday was out with a right shoulder injury.

Wednesday’s game was the Sixers’ first of a six-game road trip. They’ll next play Saturday night when they face the Jazz.

Here are observations on their Christmas victory in Boston:

Much-improved Christmas for Maxey 

After Al Horford knocked down two three-pointers in the opening two minutes, Embiid and Maxey each sunk long-range jumpers in response.

With KJ Martin out, Caleb Martin started his first game since Nov. 24 and guarded Jaylen Brown. Offensively, he and Kelly Oubre Jr. were both peripheral in the first quarter. The Sixers’ star trio of Maxey, Embiid and Paul George  combined to take 18 of the team’s first 19 field goals.

Maxey ran the show well, attacking the paint without hesitation and posting 12 points and four assists in the first period. He split through the Celtics’ defense early in the second quarter and slammed home a dunk that put the Sixers up 32-25.

At that stage, his outing was already far better than his 4-for-20 performance in the Sixers’ Christmas loss last year to the Heat.

Maxey also maintained his streak of recording at least one steal in every game he’s played this season. As a team, the Sixers earned an early advantage in the possession game; Boston committed the night’s first five turnovers and the Sixers had just one…

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Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2024-12-26 00:35:00

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