Boston Celtics win 5th Straight in Convincing Fashion

The Boston Celtics started the St. Patrick’s Day party early Monday night in Boston.

In winning their fifth straight game, the Celtics led from start to finish in defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 108-89.

Seven players for the Celtics scored in double figures, led by Tyler Zeller’s 26 pts. He added 5 rebounds despite hardly playing in the second quarter due to foul trouble.

The Celtics shot 50% (44-88) on 27 assists Monday night as they continued to play their best basketball of the season. All of this with Isaiah Thomas still out due to injury.

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In racing to a 7-0 lead, the Celtics gave fans a preview in what the rest of the night would look like. They led by as many as 22 in the first quarter and ended ahead 38-18. The Celtics shot 66.7% (16-24) in the quarter and did not commit a turnover.

The Celtics fell to earth in the second quarter but their defense kept the 76ers at bay. Boston would extend their lead to 27 at one point on an Avery Bradley 3-pointer and they led at halftime 57-34.

Bradley had 13 points at the half while Zeller and Evan Turner had 10 each.

The 76ers scored as many points in the third as they had previously in the game and even cut the score to 61-45 on a three by Luc Mbah a Moute with 9:04 left in the quarter.

Fortunately for the Celtics they found their stroke again, shooting 14-22 (63.6%) on the quarter. The Celtics starters played most of the quarter, with Zeller and Marcus Smart each scoring 8 points as the Celtics led by 19 heading into the fourth.

Zeller would add eight more in the 4th quarter as the 76ers were unable to mount any sort of run. They held the Celtics without a field goal for nearly 3 minutes but in true 76er fashion they were unable to score much during that time.

Bradley finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. In four games since returning from his elbow injury, Bradley is averaging roughly 15 points and 5 rebounds per game.

Nerlens Noel led the 76ers with 18 points and 7 rebounds.

A year after winning only one of four games against the 76ers, the Celtics swept the season series.

The Celtics, coupled with a loss by Indiana and a surprising Miami win over Cleveland, are now in a three-way tie for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics hit the road Wednesday night and take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team they lost to by 15 back in November.