BOSTON — The Philadelphia 76ers made an announcement on Christmas Day by defeating the Boston Celtics 118-114 on the highway. The Cs are the defending champions and the Sixers hit the highway and pulled off a powerful victory with the entire world watching.
Tyrese Maxey was terrific in main Philadelphia with 33 factors and 12 assists, Joel Embiid with 27 and 9 rebounds, Caleb Martin with a season-high 23 factors, and Guerschon Yabusele and Paul George with 12 factors every. Total, this was by far the Sixers’ most spectacular win this season.
Listed below are the three essential takeaways from this victory:
Maxey’s two-way recreation
Though Maxey’s offense is highlighted on this one, his protection ought to rightly be highlighted. He was unbelievable that night time towards Celtics star Jayson Tatum and even towards Kristaps Porzingis when the Boston massive man was in a position to play early within the recreation. Maxey picked guys up and compelled them to take unhealthy pictures and he additionally had three steals. He had an total phenomenal night time on each ends and Philadelphia will profit extra from it sooner or later. Simply so as to add to his night time, Maxey is the primary participant to go 30 and 10 on Christmas in Sixers historical past. A giant distinction from Christmas 2023, when he shot simply 4 of 20 in a loss at Miami.
“I imply, it was cool, I suppose,” Maxey mentioned of the feat. “I imply, I needed to make amends for final 12 months. Final 12 months I ruined Christmas. I held on. So I used to be, you recognize, wanting ahead to creating amends… I imply, I simply wished to win. I simply wished to win greater than something, however go on the market, you recognize, and put in efficiency.”
Georges struggles
For one more night time, George struggled on the offensive finish. He shot simply 4 of 15 and was 0 of seven from deep within the win. He deserves credit score for serving to Philadelphia succeed defensively by making massive performs, however the 9-time All-Star in the end must appear to be himself once more. The Sixers must discover a approach to get him going and competing commonly on offense.
“Pay attention, tonight I assumed his pictures have been superior,” coach Nick Nurse mentioned of George. “He is made some actually good pictures, in order that encourages me. I believe their high quality has elevated considerably. On a few of them, he will get 14 toes, whole area and whole clearance together with his peak, you assume, ‘It is computerized.’ And so they simply did not go there tonight. I really feel good figuring out the place he bought there and the way he bought there.
Martin kills the Celtics once more
As soon as once more, Martin went to the Celtics at TD Backyard and put in a giant efficiency. The Nevada veteran is coming off a giant efficiency on the subject of the Celtics as he scored a season-high 23 factors whereas hitting a career-high seven triples on 9 makes an attempt. For this reason the Sixers signed Martin. For moments like this towards a staff just like the Celtics that the Sixers might want to get previous to attain their aim of profitable a title.
“Look, the way in which they have been planning defensively, they have been undoubtedly making an attempt to eliminate him, so he seemed actually good,” Nurse added of Martin. “Once more, he is a reliable shooter. Now, that was a particular night time. He threw some humorous ones – a humorous one, positive – but in addition, like I instructed you, he is in significantly better form well being now that two weeks in the past he felt higher. The very first thing he mentioned to me was, “Coach, I really feel so significantly better bodily. » And he additionally fought all night time defensively, so it was good to see him play properly once more.”
This text initially appeared on Sixers Wire: 3 takeaways for Sixers after Christmas win over Celtics
