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BOSTON — — Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla doesn’t thoughts if his crew struggles at occasions, if it learns and adapts alongside the way in which.
Boston had to do this in opposition to a 76ers crew that restricted the 3-pointers the Celtics typically use to overwhelm opponents.
The outcome was what Mazzulla mentioned afterward was certainly one of its finest video games of the season.
Jaylen Brown scored 31 factors and the Celtics earned their ninth straight win, powering previous Philadelphia 117-99 on Tuesday evening.
Brown mentioned the victory was an instance of how this crew has grown this season.
“There’s a large number of the way you possibly can win all through the course of a sport,” Brown mentioned. “We received to the free-throw line, we received downhill, made some factors within the paint that helped us. …They received like 20 extra photographs than us, however for those who make free throws and also you’re aggressive, it could possibly stability out.”
Jayson Tatum added 29 factors, together with 15 within the fourth quarter, to assist the NBA-leading Celtics submit their twenty fifth consecutive house win over an Japanese Convention opponent.
Boston gained regardless of connecting on simply 5-of-22 3-pointers and committing 14 turnovers. However the Celtics outscored Philadelphia 64-48 within the second half and dominated with a 56-28 rebounding edge.
“We have been capable of win a special approach,” Mazzulla mentioned. “We have by no means mentioned we now have to win (capturing 3s). We at all times take what the protection provides us and we’re among the finest groups doing that. And that is sort of our offensive philosophy — take the most effective shot and discover the most effective shot.”
Mazzulla mentioned he additionally loved this sport as a result of it was an instance of how Brown’s sport “is being outlined by playmaking generally.”
“He’s simply at all times in assault mode. I like what Jaylen is doing,” Mazzulla mentioned. “He’s actually studying the sport and benefiting from it.”
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 32 factors and 5 assists. Philadelphia has misplaced 4 of its final 5 and is simply 4-8 since Joel Embiid was sidelined with a knee harm.
The 76ers lower what had been a 14-point deficit to 11 getting into the fourth and made one other surge to trim Boston’s result in 91-89 with 8:49 to play.
The Celtics responded with 17 straight factors, together with eight from Tatum, to provide themselves a 107-89 cushion with 4:31 remaining.
“Just a few missed photographs led to transition for them and that opened up the sport proper there,” Philadelphia’s Tobias Harris mentioned.
Boston took a 53-51 edge into halftime, keyed by Brown’s 18 factors within the opening 24 minutes.
Derrick White had three blocks in first quarter, a part of a defensive effort that restricted the 76ers to 39% capturing within the half.
The 76ers have slowly been getting gamers again from harm since sputtering into the All-Star break by dropping 5 out of seven video games.
Nicolas Batum (hamstring), De’Anthony Melton (again) and Kyle Lowry (conditioning) all have been in motion however have been on minutes restrictions.
It didn’t stop Melton from exiting within the second half with again spasms. He went 0 for two from the sphere and registered a rebound and help over 9 minutes.
In Lowry’s case it was simply his third look since being purchased out by Charlotte and being signed by the 76ers on Feb. 13.
The additional our bodies did give Philadelphia an vitality increase early, because it jumped out to an 11-4 result in open the sport. However Boston shortly erased it, responding with an 11-0 run.
UP NEXT
76ers: Host Hornets on Friday.
Celtics: Host Mavericks on Friday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
