The Boston Celtics nearly managed to come away with a win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday evening.
But with center Joel Embiid’s seeming ability to get to the line at will, the minutes limit on All-Star point guard Kemba Walker and the continued absence of All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum, the Sixers were too much for the Celtics, winning on a late surge 117 – 109. With the win, Philadelphia moves into the top spot of the Eastern Conference standings with a 10 – 5 record, while Boston slides from that spot to third in the East, behind the Milwaukee Bucks and ahead of the Indiana Pacers.
Three Celtics starters scored in double figures, led by forward Jaylen Brown’s 25 points and 5 rebounds. Veteran guard Marcus Smart added 25 points, and Walker added 19 points and 6 assists in his limited run.
Big man Daniel Theis had an excellent game off the bench with 23 points and 10 boards, but the 76ers took the first of the two consecutive games they play with Boston this week, the next coming this Friday, Jan. 22.
