Boston Celtics dominate 76ers: 3 takeaways from impressive win
Three takeaways from the Boston Celtics 116-95 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday night at TD Garden.
The Boston Celtics finally got one against the Philadelphia 76ers this season and they did it in dominant fashion.
With no Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter for this fourth and final regular-season matchup against Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and the Sixers, it seemed unlikely that the Celtics would finally get a win over their Atlantic Division rivals, but like they have done over and over again this season, their depth really stepped up and shined in the 116-95 victory.
Led by Jaylen Brown (32 points) and Jaylen Tatum (25 points), the Celtics not only figured out the 76ers, but dominated them by really doing it on defense.
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Despite the team’s glaring need to find a big man who can muscle Embiid, the Celtics solved the big man for at least one game with a swarming defensive effort that basically kept Embiid from dominating like he typically does.
In leading by 10 going into the third quarter, the Celtics turned up the defensive intensity by holding the 76ers without a field goal for the first 6:32 of the half and got it done offensively to extend their lead to 18 points.
There was no looking back after the C’s went up by as many as 22. With a couple of big performances off the bench by Brad Wanamaker and Semi Ojeleye, the Boston Celtics proved depth is their biggest weapon moving forward and into the NBA playoffs.