Celtics crush 76ers 124-104 to start second half of the season

The Boston Celtics resumed regular season play Thursday night as they traveled to Philadelphia to take on the eleventh-placed Sixers. The Celtics prevailed in a massive blowout game, 124-104 to hand the Sixers their eighth loss in nine games. Boston have now registered a fortieth win on the season.

The Celtics opened the game as four-time All-Star Jaylen Brown deftly drove through the key to score the first points of the game with a sweet lefty layup. Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis both scored in the key before Derrick White nailed a catch-and-shoot three to give the Celtics a 9-5 early lead.

The Philadelphia 76ers had a full complement of stars at their disposal for just the eleventh time of the season. Paul George hit on two quick shots for the home team to pace the Sixers early. Tyrese Maxey was very active early and fed Grimes on the break for a alley-oop dunk to even the scores at 15 apiece.

Jaylen Brown came into the game strong for the C’s early as he had 2 assists, 1 rebound, and 7 points in the first quarter. Payton Pritchard hit 2 out of 3 from three in his opening minutes off the bench to stretch Boston’s lead. Pritchard then dribbled free on back-to-back plays to assist both Al Horford and Jayson Tatum for three-point buckets as the road team went up by 10 points. Boston would lead 36-28 after one quarter in the books.

A hallmark of Boston’s recent success has been its three-point shooting; the Celtics started the game strong, going a white hot 8-12 after one quarter. That continued into the second quarter behind it’s bench microwave scorer Payton Pritchard.

Pritchard looked in great shape after the All-Star break and kept the scoring going into the second as he quickly became the team’s high scorer with 5 straight three-pointers and 15 points. Stay ready was the theme in the second, as Luke Kornet had two wide-open dunks for Boston in the second quarter as he was expertly fed by Jayson Tatum to split apart Philly’s D.

Boston’s scoring was very even in the first half as 8 players in green all got onto the scoreboard with 4 players registering in double figures. Pritchard led the team with 15 points, Jaylen Brown chipped in 13 points, Tatum had 11, and Porziņģis added 10 points as the Celtics rolled to a 72-56 lead at the half.

Boston’s offensive juggernaut kept rolling in the third quarter behind Jaylen Brown and the starters. Boston outscored the hometown Sixers to start the 3rd quarter 17-9 before coach Nick Nurse was forced into calling a timeout to settle his squad. Things were starting to unravel for Philly, as Boston stepped up its play to another level all quarter.

Boston’s lead ballooned up to 25 points with three minutes to go in the third. The world championship team’s crisp passing and selfless play were on full display all quarter as the Celtics tightened the screws on the home team. Boston had 100 points after three quarters and a massive 26 point lead, 100-74.

Every thing was going right for Boston to start the fourth quarter with a crazy shot-clock buzzer beater by Kristaps Porziņģis as Nick Nurse burried his face into his hands and slumped his shoulders. Joel Embiid would have an early shower in this one as Nick Nurse waved the white flag early in the 4th.

For Boston, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Jrue Holiday would all rest the fourth, getting some additional rest following the All-Star break. New signing Torrey Craig would see a full seven minutes of game time and was active on boards with some nice energy play and a decent chase down block.

Payton Pritchard would lead the Celtics in scoring and finished the game with 28 points (8-15 from 3), Jaylen Brown had 20 points in just three quarters, Porziņģis had 17, White had 16 and Tatum had a triple double night with 15 points, 11 boards and 10 assists. The Celtics next host the New York Knicks on Sunday at TD Garden in a 1:00pm matinee game.